Tom Giffard: It's my pleasure to contribute to today's Welsh Conservatives debate, especially as many people across Wales will be receiving their new council tax bills in a matter of days. I think, therefore, it's imperative for all of us to remember—paraphrasing, indeed, a great American President—that Government is of the people, by the people and for the people. We should therefore ensure that...
Tom Giffard: Diolch yn fawr iawn ichi, Ddirprwy Lywydd. Can I thank everybody who has contributed to this debate today? As the Minister, I guess, alluded to at the end of his contribution there, I think this is the start of a conversation and not the end of a conversation. I'm grateful, even though he doesn't support the motion today, that the Government are going to abstain on this as well, and I intend...
Tom Giffard: Diolch yn fawr iawn ichi, Dirprwy Lywydd, and it's a pleasure for me today to introduce my first Member's legislative proposal to the Senedd. My legislative proposal is something close to my heart, and I know the hearts of many in this Chamber—our tourism industry. We know how important the tourism industry is to our economy here in Wales, and it's something we need to nurture and to...
Tom Giffard: I know you agree with me, Llywydd, that it's essential for Welsh democracy that the Senedd promotes itself to the people of Wales, and especially to children and young people. And in light of transport costs, I wonder what more the Commission could do to ensure the Senedd takes advantage of major events, when they're happening, when people are already in Cardiff Bay, particularly on weekends....
Tom Giffard: The majority of sanctions, including universal credit, can be resolved quickly by claimants rebooking and attending their next appointment, and if information that amounts to a good reason comes to light, the sanction can be overturned and money repaid. I'm assured that there are hardship payments that are available as a safeguard via the DWP, if a claimant can demonstrate they can't meet...
Tom Giffard: It's my pleasure to speak at the Final Stage of this consolidation Bill. I want to join with the Counsel General in thanking those who've worked so hard on the Bill as it's travelled at some pace through the Senedd over the last few weeks. In particular, I want to thank the LJC committee for their work on the consolidation Bill. Second, it may surprise the Chamber that we as Welsh...
Tom Giffard: Can I join colleagues across the Chamber in congratulating the Welsh Government and the UK Government on delivering the two free ports planned for Anglesey and for the Celtic free port, which is situated partially in my region? And I don't need to regurgitate statistics, but it can be genuinely be transformational, not only for Port Talbot, but for the whole south-west Wales region. But, with...
Tom Giffard: As a cat owner myself, I'm delighted that Sarah Murphy tabled this question, and I welcomed the Welsh Government's introduction of Lucy's law 18 months ago, which seeks to ban third-party sales of cats and dogs under the age of six months. On reading your explanatory memorandum to the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (Wales) Regulations 2021—snappily titled—I was...
Tom Giffard: Thank you, First Minister, for that answer. I'm sure you noticed that Healthcare Inspectorate Wales last week published an extensive report into Cwm Taf Morgannwg's discharge arrangements from adult in-patient mental health units. I'm pleased to see the majority of practices were adequate at the Princess of Wales Hospital in Bridgend, although administrative issues were identified. However,...
Tom Giffard: 3. What urgent action is the Welsh Government taking to support mental health in South Wales West? OQ59311
Tom Giffard: Can I first of all thank the Deputy Minister for her statement? I know that she's worked very hard on getting the Bill to this point. I must also acknowledge that I'm speaking today on behalf of my group, as Joel James normally would, and I know how disappointed he is that he can't be here for the Stage 4 part of the Bill today. But I know that he wants to thank everybody who has worked...
Tom Giffard: And to build on the point that Huw Irranca-Davies made there: obviously, the construction sector is an incredibly important sector for our economy and for our young people to engage with, as Huw Irranca-Davies correctly identified. The Construction Industry Training Board have said that over 9,000 extra workers will be required just to meet construction demand in Wales by 2027, so that's...
Tom Giffard: Can I thank Mike Hedges for tabling this question, and also concur with him, not on his assessment of the UK Government, but on the benefits of tidal energy, particularly in Swansea bay? As the three of us, I think, proudly represent the city of Swansea—I think the best city on planet earth—we will know the benefits that the proposed lagoon, the Blue Eden project, could have for our city....
Tom Giffard: I'm asking for a statement from the Minister for finance about changes to council tax premiums from 1 April, and, specifically, the exemptions to the proposed 300 per cent council tax levy on empty properties and second homes. While councils will have a wide discretionary power to decide whether to charge a premium, the consultation that the Welsh Government carried out on this issue showed...
Tom Giffard: What action is the Welsh Government taking to support mental health in Bridgend?
Tom Giffard: The Government has a role in encouraging the installation of charging points. It's no coincidence, Jenny, that, in Wales, there are 39 charging points per 100,000 of population. In England, that's 52. There's a clear difference along our border here in Wales as well, and that is through the proactive nature from the UK Government that we're not seeing here in Wales. And if it's about saving...
Tom Giffard: He will, of course, know that his constituents do support that third crossing and their MP, Virginia Crosbie, does not have to walk the tightrope.
Tom Giffard: I think we heard from Sam Rowlands as a Member for North Wales that he very much supports the red route going through Flintshire. As we've also heard, the Deputy Minister and the panel he created have abjectly failed to listen to any of the concerns of the communities and dismissed all of their concerns, instead pressing forward with their own narrow-minded agenda without any suitable...
Tom Giffard: Diolch yn fawr iawn, Llywydd. Can I thank all Members that contributed in our debate today? There were a number of Members, actually, that contributed, so I won't pick up everybody, you'll be pleased to know, that contributed and respond to their points accordingly. But I did want to single out Natasha Asghar's opening statement and her passion for transport in Wales. Her ambitious vision for...
Tom Giffard: Will you take an intervention?
