Wednesday, 1 July 2020
The Senedd met by video-conference at 11:00 with the Llywydd (Elin Jones) in the Chair.
Welcome, all, to this Plenary session. Before we begin, I want to set out a few points. A Plenary meeting held by video-conference in accordance with the Standing Orders of the Welsh Parliament...
So, the first item on our agenda this morning is questions to the First Minister, and the first question is from Caroline Jones.
1. What steps is the Welsh Government taking to ensure Wales is equipped to deal with future pandemics? OQ55394
2. Will the First Minister make a statement on what the Welsh Government is doing to support the aviation sector in Wales? OQ55393
Questions now from the party leaders. Leader of Plaid Cymru, Adam Price.
3. What assessment has the First Minister made of the impact of the coronavirus crisis on the Welsh economy? OQ55357
4. How will the Welsh Government use infrastructure projects to reinvigorate the Welsh economy in light of COVID-19? OQ55369
5. Will the First Minister provide an update on Welsh Government support for businesses affected by COVID-19? OQ55386
6. What assessment has the First Minister made of the effect of lockdown on educational attainment in North Wales? OQ55364
The next item is the business statement and announcement, and I call on the Trefnydd to make that statement—Rebecca Evans.
The next item is questions to the Counsel General in respect of his law officer responsibilities, and the first question is from Helen Mary Jones.
1. What legal advice has the Counsel General provided to the Welsh Government on the impact of the Covid-19 crisis on human rights in Wales? OQ55380
2. What legal advice has the Counsel General given to the Welsh Government in relation to improving children’s access to mental health support in Wales? OQ55373
3. What legal representations has the Counsel General made on behalf of the Welsh Government regarding inter-governmental structures within the UK? OQ55360
4. What legal advice has the Counsel General provided on the effect of Covid-19 regulations on the Welsh Government's ability to fulfil its policies? OQ55383
5. What legal advice has the Counsel General given to the Welsh Government on whether its response to Covid-19 is in accordance with human rights legislation? OQ55372
6. What recent discussions has the Counsel General had with other law officers regarding the legal steps being taken by the women against state pension inequality against the changes made to...
7. Will the Counsel General make a statement on the implementation of the recommendations of the Thomas Commission on Justice in Wales? OQ55377
The next item is questions to the Minister for Finance, and the first question is from Caroline Jones.
1. What assessment has the Welsh Government made of the impact of Covid-19 on its local taxation policy? OQ55374
2. How will the Welsh Government distribute the £78 million earmarked as part of the local government hardship fund within the budget in order to help local authorities manage loss of income...
Questions now from the party spokespeople. Plaid Cymru spokesperson, Rhun ap Iorwerth.
3. How will the Minister ensure that the mental health implications of the COVID-19 pandemic are recognised in the Welsh Government's budget allocations? OQ55385
4. What extra allocations will be available during the current budget round to support the tracking element of the test track and protect strategy? OQ55375
5. Will the Minister indicate the additional funding that is expected as a result of spending by the UK Government in England in areas devolved to Wales? OQ55346
6. What additional allocations will be made available by the Welsh Government during the current budget round to support the social care sector? OQ55370
7. What assessment has the Minister made of the impact of Covid-19 on future Welsh budgets? OQ55355
8. Will the Minister make a statement on the provision of business rates relief grants for the not-for-profit sector during the Covid-19 pandemic? OQ55353
Good afternoon, everybody. Welcome back after our break, and we return to our agenda with item 5, which is questions to the Minister for International Relations and the Welsh Language. Question 1...
1. Will the Minister provide an update on Welsh Government support for local Welsh-medium publications during the Covid-19 pandemic? OQ55349
2. Will the Minister make a statement on the promotion of mid Wales as a tourist destination? OQ55352
Thank you. We now turn to party spokespeople to question the Minister. The first this afternoon is Conservative spokesperson, Suzy Davies.
3. How is the Welsh Government supporting tourism in North Wales? OQ55351
4. What assessment has the Minister made of the effectiveness of broadcasting in Wales during the Covid-19 pandemic? OQ55367
5. Will the Minister provide an update on the reintroduction of outdoor sports for children and young people following Covid-19? OQ55366
6. What discussions is the Welsh Government having with Welsh businesses regarding the future trade relations of the UK? OQ55381
7. What assessment has the Minister made of the effect of the proposed curriculum Bill on the Welsh language? OQ55382
Item 6 on our agenda this afternoon is questions to the Senedd Commission. All the questions this afternoon will be answered by the Llywydd. Question 1, Helen Mary Jones.
1. What preparations has the Commission put in place regarding the extension of the franchise for Senedd elections, despite the coronavirus pandemic? OQ55359
2. What assessment has the Commission made of the impact of lockdown on future working practices for both Members of the Senedd and Commission staff? OQ55356
3. Will the Commission make a statement on arrangements to support Senedd business as the lockdown is eased? OQ55376
4. Will the Commission provide guidance to Members on the safe reopening of constituency offices? OQ55371
5. Will the Commission make a statement on its ability to reopen the Welsh Parliament estate? OQ55378
Item 7 is the topical question, and it's to be answered by the Minister for Economy, Transport and North Wales. Jack Sargeant.
1. Will the Minister make a statement on discussions held between the Welsh and UK governments following the announcement of job losses at Airbus? TQ465
Item 8 on our agenda this afternoon is the statement by the Minister for the Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs on the climate emergency, and I call on the Minister for rural affairs, Lesley...
Item 9 on our agenda is the debate on the Statutory Instrument Consent Memorandum on the Direct Payments to Farmers (Legislative Continuity) Act 2020 (Consequential Amendments) Regulations 2020,...
Item 10 on our agenda this afternoon is the Economy, Infrastructure and Skills Committee debate on the effects of COVID-19 on Wales's economy, infrastructure and skills, and I call on the Chair...
The following amendments have been selected: amendments 1, 3, 4 and 8 in the name of Darren Millar, amendment 2 in the name of Rebecca Evans, and amendments 5, 6 and 7 in the name of Neil McEvoy....
And that bring us to voting time.
Will the First Minister make a statement on the selection process for the expert panel that is to consider the application to dump mud dredged from outside Hinkley nuclear reactor in Welsh waters?
What aspects of Wales’s international relations may be strengthened as a result of the experience of Covid-19?
Will the Minister make a statement on the resumption of recreational sport in Wales?
Will the Minister provide an update on changes to the Welsh Government's taxation policy to support businesses in light of the Covid-19 pandemic?
What consideration has been given to increased digital support to allow the expansion of home-working and remote-working amongst Commission staff?
The Senedd, officially known as the Welsh Parliament in English and Senedd Cymru in Welsh, is the devolved, unicameral legislature of Wales. A democratically elected body, it makes laws for Wales, agrees certain taxes and scrutinises the Welsh Government. It is a bilingual institution, with both Welsh and English being the official languages of its business. From its creation in May 1999 until May 2020, the Senedd was known as the National Assembly for Wales (Welsh: Cynulliad Cenedlaethol Cymru). – Wikipedia
