Lesley Griffiths: ...yesterday—I don't know if Members will have picked it up on social media—was doing a significant piece of work on a farm in the Vale of Glamorgan, and he's very happy to go anywhere to help educate people in relation to responsible dog ownership, something that I obviously publicise as well. I'm continuing to have discussions with my UK Government counterparts to see what legislation...
Lesley Griffiths: ...it's really important that we play to our strengths. We have unique circumstances, of course, in Wales that need to be looked at too. You ask about IBERS. Again, I mentioned the new veterinary school that we have in Aberystwyth. I actually haven't had any discussions with IBERS in relation to this, but I will certainly ensure that officials do if we think it would be worthwhile. Around the...
Lesley Griffiths: ...and safely. Some of the projects being developed under Arwain DGC also build upon progress made as part of the Arwain Vet Cymru project. Staff at the new Aberystwyth University veterinary school established the first group of veterinary prescribing champions in the UK, who are leading work in their practices and among their clients to ensure antibiotics are used responsibly. The project...
Lesley Griffiths: I've always taken a specific interest in new entrants, working with people to see what the barriers are to them going into agriculture. I have to say, education and skills hasn't been one of the barriers that's ever, I don't think, been raised with me. I've been focusing on—. I mentioned Venture in my original answer to you, which has been very successful in helping to match farmers and...
Lesley Griffiths: I don't think the way that you set that out is correct—we've already extended BTEC eligibility, for instance—but I know the Minister for Education and Welsh Language is continuing to have discussions with Qualifications Wales and will provide a statement in due course.
Lesley Griffiths: ...why individuals took up care and support roles within social care, and, of course, we've run several high-profile campaigns to promote the sector. Both Welsh Government apprenticeship and further education officials have regular discussions with colleges as well as with our independent training providers to make sure that courses—and that's for all sectors, and that obviously includes...
Lesley Griffiths: ...provided with suitable alternative travel arrangements. Your last point is very important: there need to be alternative travel arrangements to ensure—the example you gave was children getting to school. Those alternatives have been publicised and, as a Government, we're working with Bus Users Cymru to hold further passenger consultation events in the area over the next few weeks. So, I...
Lesley Griffiths: Yes, I would absolutely agree with you. We know that no child should go hungry, and local authorities and schools should work in partnership with families who are experiencing difficulties with payment of school meals to try and find a solution to ensure that no child goes without a meal at lunch time. There should be a system in place where parents are reminded in a timely fashion if the...
Lesley Griffiths: ...crisis, particularly children from a household that has protected characteristics. We are supporting young people and their families through initiatives, including our childcare offer, help with school costs, free school meals, and our young person’s guarantee.
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. In relation to your second question, you're absolutely right; it is vital that the learning needs of a deaf child are absolutely met. I will ask the Minister for Education and Welsh Language to write to you on the issue. With regard to your first request—they wouldn't be able to be done together, because it would be two different Ministers—I know the Minister for Social...
Lesley Griffiths: ...Wales, including those in South Wales East, to help mitigate the cost-of-living crisis. Initiatives include our generous social wage, expanding our childcare offer, our universal primary free school meal offer, and reviewing the council tax reduction scheme to make it more equitable.
Lesley Griffiths: ...month. I think it's fair to say that COVID-19 posed a real threat to them. Many did continue to be published and some adapted to being published online, as you referred to. I know the Minister for Education and Welsh Language last week announced a one-off inflationary support for Welsh language grant-funded organisations, and the network of papurau bro will receive an additional £6,000.
Lesley Griffiths: ...you raised, the Welsh Government has adopted the definition of IHRA as a working definition, as you're aware, and it is a matter for each university to then adopt it. I know that the Minister for Education and the Welsh Language has had those discussions with them.
Lesley Griffiths: ...and staff, including additional funding for extra training places for paramedics and a range of other health professions in 2023-24. This is the ninth consecutive year that health professional education and training budgets have increased in Wales.
Lesley Griffiths: ...supply chains as well for both imports and exports. I don't think there is a general shortage of fruit and vegetables. They're widely available. So, I don't think there is a risk to either the free school meals policy or public health. We are trying to tackle this issue. You mentioned the work I've been doing in relation to horticulture. I'm told that horticulture is an area where we want...
Lesley Griffiths: ...a range of offences, including offences under terror legislation. What that does is really serve us all as a reminder that extremism is a very, very real issue right across the UK. Obviously, our education sector plays a hugely important role in safeguarding our young people through providing counter-narratives, support and engaging with counter-terrorism policing in the relevant...
Lesley Griffiths: Working in partnership with counter-terrorism policing, we have produced videos and resources on preventing radicalisation and extremism, delivered in schools by our SchoolBeat officers. Our Prevent board brings partners together to oversee activities in Wales designed to protect those who are most vulnerable to radicalisation.
Lesley Griffiths: ...now, we are seeing more people wanting to take those retirement plans forward. So, it was good to hear from that particular health board of the plans they are taking. You'll be aware of the medical school that we are having in north Wales—so, up in north Wales, there's a great deal of work being done to attract new staff. But it is important that we look internationally as well, as long...
Lesley Griffiths: I will certainly raise it directly with the Minister for education. I would have thought he might think it's a bit early in the timescale of the changes to have an oral statement at the moment, but I will certainly raise it with him.
Lesley Griffiths: ...impact of the pandemic now, and there's a significant number of eligible people participating in the programme. Take-up of the HPV adolescent programme was affected by the pandemic because of the school closures, and the vaccination teams have really made some significant efforts to recover and increase the uptake, and I think we as Members should do all we can to make sure people are...
