<p>Questions Without Notice from the Party Leaders</p>

Part of 1. 1. Questions to the First Minister – in the Senedd at 1:39 pm on 15 November 2016.

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Photo of Leanne Wood Leanne Wood Plaid Cymru 1:39, 15 November 2016

I share your concerns, First Minister, and I’m glad that you agree with my position. I’ll give you an opportunity to demonstrate how much you agree. I’ve got a constituent who is claiming employment support allowance and wishes to claim a disability grant in order to enter education. Her GP is demanding that she pays a charge of £95 for completing the forms. Without those forms, she won’t get the grant and, therefore, won’t be able to study. I’ve had it confirmed that students may have to pay to get disabled students grants, and that GPs may charge for this work, which the British Medical Association guidance suggests could be a charge of £90 for 20 minutes’ work. That’s what they say is appropriate, and that is more than you are earning as First Minister. Do you think it’s appropriate that the NHS that you’ve been running for 17 years is putting substantial financial barriers in the way of disabled people trying to improve their lives? And will you commit to getting rid of these charges as soon as is possible?