Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 2:47 pm on 17 January 2017.
Leader of the house, could we have two statements, if possible, please, with the first building on the question that my colleague, Nick Ramsay, ask the First Minister around business rates. I heard the response, as everyone did, from the First Minister that the guidance, the rules, the regulations would be coming forward shortly around the business rates proposals, and we do welcome the additional money that has been put into the budget for the business rate scheme post 1 April of this year. But, 1 April is coming very, very quickly down the tracks at us, and are you in a position, as leader of the house, to indicate to us what the term ‘shortly’ means, where we might have some understanding of how this money will be distributed, what will be the criteria, and, importantly, what businesses will do if they do find themselves on the wrong side of the line when it comes to accessing that help and support over the business rates revaluation? As I said, there is a very short period of time, and businesses, not unreasonably, with cash-flow projections and planning for the future, do need this information as quickly as possible. I appreciate the Government might be working behind the scenes on this, but the word ‘shortly’ needs defining, and if you, in your role as leader of the house, are in a position to let us know when that statement might be coming forward, that would be hugely helpful. If not, could you report back and let us know what is happening around these rules and regulations?
And the second statement I'd seek is from the Cabinet Secretary for Health, Well-being and Sport. This morning, I had the pleasure of hosting the Cancer Patient Voices event in the Senedd here. Annie Mulholland, as many Members in this Chamber will recall, brought the first event to the Pierhead building, which had cross-party support, and numerous Members attended that event. Again, this year, the event was very, very well supported, and there were some very good contributions from the floor and from the platform, informing patients and informing clinicians and politicians of the state of play at the moment when it comes to cancer services. Dr Tom Crosby talked of the need for a cancer strategy for Wales. We do have a cancer plan, but he did talk about how putting provision of services in place when it comes to cancer services is not an issue just for a one-term Government on a two or three-year cycle. It does need long-term planning that lasts well into the future, and horizon scanning. In fairness to Dr Tom Crosby, he is a man of huge experience in this field, and I think it would be hugely appreciated if the Cabinet Secretary for health could come forward with his thoughts on such a strategy being put in place by the Welsh Government, and what his response is to that request.