Joyce Watson: I want to thank all the women who've given and shared their stories, and the experts who have shared platforms with us. And I want to talk particularly about Powys Teaching Health Board, and what we've been told is that none of the visiting gynaecology consultants specialise in endometriosis or have an interest in the condition. That's a serious statement, actually. So, those people have to...
Joyce Watson: Thank you very much. Anything that we can do, and any information that we can have to help us be better able to support and encourage those people, whatever conditions they have, sharing that information with us, to our advantage, is more than welcome. The majority of the lighting is LED downlighting in the Senedd, and estates and facilities management are currently exploring options to...
Joyce Watson: Thank you for your question. We do strive to be a Parliament that is accessible to everyone who works on or visits our estate. The designers of the Senedd building worked closely with disability access groups to ensure that the building complies with the best practice for accessibility. A comprehensive health and safety risk assessment is undertaken for on-site events and activities, for...
Joyce Watson: I think that's a fair point, Jenny. We have a lot of information around and about, but it's at different stages, very often, of women's lives. It's not just endometriosis; it's the menopause, it's other factors for different people. So, I think, where we can, increasing that information—whether that's putting a poster up somewhere—would be a good thing and, yes, we'd be open to that.
Joyce Watson: Right, I can speak now. We do have a system in place where we have, in the past, promoted physical and mental well-being with campaigns, and one of those campaigns was Endometriosis Awareness Month last year. We do share communications with staff and include a staff blog sharing personal experience of working with endometriosis, and an internal webpage providing specific information and...
Joyce Watson: Thank you for your question, Jack. The Senedd Commission continues to make supporting the physical and mental health of its staff a priority—excuse me—with a well-being strategy in place outlining—excuse me—how we support this.
Joyce Watson: I thank you for that answer. I'm deeply concerned, as others in this Chamber are, at the impact the UK Government's Illegal Migration Bill is going to have on efforts to combat human slavery and protect human rights in Wales if it's passed at Westminster. As chair of the Senedd's cross-party group on human trafficking, I've seen for myself how modern slavery continues to pose huge challenges...
Joyce Watson: I'm really disappointed to hear about sanctions, rather than compassion, because that's what we're talking about here. And I just hope that the individual who thinks it's okay never finds himself in need, because then he'll know how it feels. But the point I wanted to ask you, Minister, is what conversations you've had to try and educate the Tories in Westminster about providing proper free...
Joyce Watson: 3. What discussions has the Counsel General had with other law officers regarding the impact on modern slavery and human rights in Wales of the UK Government’s Illegal Migration Bill? OQ59348
Joyce Watson: I'm pleased that you're happy to take an intervention. You're trying to assure us, or reassure us, that the UK Government take workers' rights seriously, and yet, when workers were demonstrating against poor pay and conditions, the very first thing they tried to do was remove the right to be part of a trade union and the right to express their feelings. So, if on that premise you think we're...
Joyce Watson: Will you take an intervention?
Joyce Watson: That's a shame. [Laughter.]
Joyce Watson: Since you worked inside the hospital, you must have surely come across people telling you that they were being starved of funds by your Government, the Government that you support. What did you say to those people when you outlined why we haven’t funded things? Did you tell them that it's because it was your Government, the Government that you support, that wasn’t providing sufficient...
Joyce Watson: Thank you for taking an intervention. I'm a little bit puzzled as to what you're hoping to achieve here, so maybe you can explain it. Could you explain to me how you think the health services in north Wales are going to be enhanced overnight by removing the health Minister? That's what you're not actually getting to. Or is it just political posturing?
Joyce Watson: Thank you for that answer, Minister. I'm sure that, like me, you are concerned by the news over the weekend that one in five students at Russell Group universities have considered dropping out over the cost of living. I returned to education as an adult, and at the same time trying to raise a young family. It was difficult enough then. I haven't got a clue how people are going to cope now....
Joyce Watson: Thank you, Minister, and I'm delighted that all of the local authorities in my region will be taking part in this scheme, and Gwynedd already accepting applications. It's desperately needed. Can I ask, have you had an opportunity to read the latest report from the Bevan Foundation on the private rental market in Wales finding that only 32 properties advertised across Wales were available at...
Joyce Watson: I would like two statements, the first being on the Welsh Government's response to the National Police Chiefs' Council—NPCC—report released today, that said that nine out of 10 complaints about violence against women and girls by police officers in England and Wales were dropped over a six-month period. But, of the resolved cases, only 13 of those officers were sacked, according to the...
Joyce Watson: 1. Will the Minister provide an update on Welsh Government actions to bring empty homes back into use? OQ59269
Joyce Watson: 8. What is the Welsh Government doing to help students with cost of living pressures? OQ59270
Joyce Watson: —and we've heard that there are people who are good owners and people who are awful owners, but you'll all know the song 'Another One Bites the Dust', and another one, and another one, and that is relevant here; it doesn't matter how good an owner you are, the fact is simply that greyhounds are dying on the racetracks in the name of entertainment.
