The next item on our agenda is the business statement and announcement, and I call on the leader of the house, Jane Hutt.

Diolch, Llywydd. I have one change to report to this week’s business. The Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Infrastructure will make a statement on the Champions League final later this afternoon. Business for the next three weeks is as shown on the business statement and announcement found among the meeting papers available to Members electronically.

Leader of the house, could we have a statement, please—and I think that you are deputising in the absence of the Cabinet Secretary for rural affairs—on the way that the basic payments scheme is delivered in Wales? I do declare an interest, as a partner in a farming business in the Vale of Glamorgan. There have been huge concerns, not just in the Vale of Glamorgan but across Wales, where payments have been delayed because of the checks and inspections regime that is undertaken, and the inability for the department to keep farmers in the loop as to how their claims are progressing. I, like you, in the Vale of Glamorgan do have constituents who still, at this point—in May, now—have outstanding claims still to be paid. It is very difficult for those individuals to be able to explain their positions to banks—who have been understanding when it comes to borrowing and, obviously, extending overdraft facilitates—when they are unable to secure information from the department as to why their claim has been held up or how their claim is progressing. I do think that we do need a statement from the Cabinet Secretary to give us an understanding, as Members, of how the department deals with these queries and, importantly, what lessons have been learned, because this year does seem to be a particularly difficult year in dealing with farms that have been inspected and have obviously have had outstanding queries for them to receive their payments.

I thank Andrew R.T. Davies for that question, and I am very happy to update on the basic payments scheme. By 27 April, over 98.9 per cent of claims had been paid, at a value of approximately £219 million. This now includes cross-border payments made by the Welsh Government. Wales’s basic payment scheme 2016 payment performance is similar to Northern Ireland and compares very favourably with Scotland and England. And, as the Member knows, the BPS payment window runs until 30 June, with Rural Payments Wales doing everything they can to make all remaining payments as quickly as possible. They expect to pay all but the most complex claims by the end of April, of course, which was last week. I would also add the point that the introduction of the new greening requirements for arable farmers has led to more complex inspections. The EC requires farm businesses subject to an inspection in 2016 to have their claim finalised before payment can be made. We can’t comment on the functions of other paying agents.

I think we can add payments of Glastir as well to the point that was already being made. I particularly wanted to ask the leader of the house whether she could timetable a debate in Government time on access to primary care services. I think we heard earlier a question from Leanne Wood, the leader of Plaid Cymru, about events in the Rhondda. If I can tell the house that, last week, I and my office spent several hours over two days trying to get a GP for a 90-year-old woman in Carmarthenshire. The listed surgery was in dispute with the health board and wouldn’t take her on. Another surgery wouldn’t deal with it either, despite, in theory, being open to new patients. The only surgery that was offered was at a considerable distance. I am pleased, I hope—touch wood—that that has been resolved, and as an Assembly Member I want to help my constituent. But if it takes the intervention of an Assembly Member to get a GP for a 90-year-old woman, I suggest we have a problem with GPs in Wales: a problem of recruitment, a problem of accessibility, and a problem in the stewardship that your party is showing to the NHS in Wales. So, I think you have made many promises about expanding access to GPs and primary care over the last six years, and I think a debate would allow all Assembly Members of all parties to describe what’s really happening on the ground.

Obviously, these issues have been raised, with specific examples of difficulties and pressures, and the First Minister responded to the one in terms of the GP day closure in the Rhondda. I think it is important in the context of recruitment again to say that our national and international campaign to attract GPs and the wider primary care workforce is already starting to bear fruit. Six months in and we have seen a 16 per cent increase in the number of GP training places filled so far compared to last year, and our £43 million primary care fund has helped provide more than 250 additional primary care posts, including GPs, nursing posts, pharmacists and physiotherapists, which of course are part of the answer and the response to primary care needs in terms of the wider primary care team. Also, I think there are the important investments taking place in the primary care clusters, which should also address this issue—64 primary care clusters ensuring that patients will be seen directly by the most appropriate professional for their needs. So, clearly, this is an issue of topical development and change that’s being raised today.

On 10 August, Sea Dragon will moor in Mermaid Quay with its all-female crew sailing round the coast of Britain to collect data on plastic in our coastal waters. I recently met with one of the Welsh members of the crew—I know they’ve met other Assembly Members and have actually been mentioned here in a debate—and they are very keen to highlight the problem of plastic pollution, and to support the Marine Conservation Society’s petition, which I believe is before the Petitions Committee, and are campaigning on a deposit-return scheme on drinks containers and penalties for companies who use non-recyclable plastic fast-food containers and utensils. Also, very importantly, I thought, they are campaigning for the introduction of public drinking water fountains, which would of course reduce the need for plastic bottles in any case.

So, would the leader of the house congratulate this all-female team, two of whom are from Wales? Also, can we have another opportunity in this house to emphasise the vital importance of this issue, and to highlight the pollution that is happening in our seas as well as on our land?

Well, I’d also like to add my congratulations, and thank Julie Morgan for bringing this to our attention this afternoon—congratulations to that all-female team, who brought the Sea Dragon into Mermaid Quay and met many Assembly Members—but particularly drawing attention to their scientific and campaigning mission in terms of the work that they’re doing on collecting data on plastic in our coastal waters. Indeed, we did recently debate Welsh waste reduction in the debate on the waste reduction Bill, on 5 April, and we are looking to conclude our review of extended producer responsibility.

Under the marine strategy framework directive we have a commitment to reduce marine litter. There’s a specific target under descriptor 10 of the marine strategic framework directive, and of course we have a Wales marine strategic advisory group. They’ve formed a marine litter task and finish group to tackle the issue of marine litter in Wales, so I’m sure that the work’s that’s being done on this through Sea Dragon and their scientific team will help to add to the strength of the evidence that we will be addressing.

Leader of the house, can I ask for a number of statements, please, the first from the Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs on waste collection services? One thing that is exercising the minds of lots of my constituents, particularly in Conwy, is the roll-out of four-weekly bin collections, which of course has been supported by Labour, Plaid Cymru and independent councillors in that area, much to the disdain and dismay of local residents. There's dog mess that is building up in local dog bins as a result of people being encouraged to use those rather than leave dog mess in their bins for four weeks, and the whole place is becoming a significant eyesore, unfortunately, to the many visitors who visit my constituency. So, I would be grateful if we could have some clear guidance from the Cabinet Secretary and from the Welsh Government on the frequency of bin collection services, and in particular dog bin collection services, because, clearly, they are not frequent enough at the moment.

Can I also call for a statement from the Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Children on internet safety? The leader of the house will be aware of the research by the Internet Watch Foundation that clearly identified that the UK, as a result of the zero-tolerance approach to internet safety, particularly in terms of child sexual abuse images and videos, has made very good progress in recent years on this front. The UK now hosts less than 0.1 per cent of child sexual abuse imagery globally, compared to 37 per cent in the Netherlands, 22 per cent in the USA and 11 per cent in France. But, of course, there’s still lots of work to be done, and in particular, we need to see more family friendly access to the internet in public sector funded organisations and indeed in private organisations. I wonder whether we could have a statement from the Cabinet Secretary on this to see whether this is something that could be addressed, perhaps through grant conditions.

Thirdly, can I call for a statement on delayed transfers of care by the Cabinet Secretary for health and social services? Many Members of the Chamber will have been alarmed to read of the very sad case of an individual patient who’s been languishing in a hospital ward for almost four years and has got a further half a year to go before a suitable place for their care can be arranged. That is clearly unacceptable and more work needs to be done on delayed transfers of care. Can we have a statement on that?

I think we’ve discussed these issues in relation to local authorities’ responsibilities for waste collection on a number of occasions, and, of course, there have been plenty of opportunities to raise these matters with the Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs. I think it is very important to recognise, in terms of our success rates, those local authorities—and I won’t necessarily, although perhaps I should, name those who control some of those local authorities, who are actually actually leading the way in terms of waste collection—but Wales leads the way in the UK when it comes to recycling. Also, we are supporting local authorities to recycle more. We recently awarded £3 million to help local authorities update their recycling methods, which of course takes into account frequency of collections and, indeed, handling of dog waste. Of course, we have to ensure that local authorities learn from each other and deliver, as a result of that, the best public services for their constituents and local people.

Your second question is very important. Obviously, we are all aware of the work of the Internet Watch Foundation and its impact in terms of internet safety, and Yvette Cooper’s very powerful remarks as Chair of the Home Affairs Select Committee yesterday. We would obviously want to review that in terms of our circumstances here in Wales in terms of the powers that we have to address those issues, and be very clear in the support of the statement that she made as a Westminster chair of a select committee.

I think your point about delayed transfers of care must be seen in context, Darren Millar, because delayed transfers of care are at their lowest level for 12 years, which is an exceptional achievement, particularly when considered against the increasing demand for services as our population ages and is exceptional compared with what is happening over the border in England where they’re rising not falling. But I think there are complex issues, and I will recognise there is a particularly complex case that you have referred to. Those are often with a range of other issues, requiring very highly specialist and often bespoke services to be put in place. I’m sure that many Members will recognise those kinds of circumstances. Importantly, I hope that you have put—you’ve brought this, clearly, to the attention of your health board. But I think it is important that there is nobody occupying acute hospital beds in these circumstances.

I thought everybody was being quite negative with the election campaigns in First Minister’s questions, so I wanted to bring something positive to business questions and call on the Welsh Government to congratulate Josh Griffiths and Matthew Rees, both from the Swansea Harriers. Josh Griffiths has qualified now with an amazing time, more than professional runners, for the IAAF World Championships. And then Matthew Rees you would have seen from the London Marathon, who helped another runner who was struggling to finish the race. I think it’s been amazing for Wales, and for Swansea, for those runners to show their capabilities, and I wanted to have a statement from the Welsh Government to see what discussions you’ve been having with Welsh Athletics, so that you can support Josh Griffiths, through this time, over the summer, to make sure, as a student, that he’s able to take part in the world championships, and to show that Wales has that talent behind us.

My second request—and I appreciate that Lesley Griffiths is not here at the moment—is with regard to whether she or her team have an update on the animal abuse register. Lately, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals launched a campaign to call for a working group within Welsh Government to establish whether an animal abuse register for Wales would be conceivable. And, so I wonder, in her absence, whether her civil servants would be able to give us a statement, or whether we could have a letter as AMs on any progress in that manner.

I thank Bethan Jenkins for that very positive question and comment. I’m sure we would all agree with you. It was amazing to see the way in which Josh Griffiths and Matthew Rees came together in the end over the finishing line in the London Marathon, and to hear those Welsh voices, and the recognition of that camaraderie and support was truly something that was very positive for us all to share, and we send our thanks and congratulations. But, obviously, you raise wider issues, which I’m sure will need to be addressed in terms of the particular situation for Josh Griffiths.

On your second point, I can assure you that the Cabinet Secretary’s officials are following through on her behalf progress in terms of setting up the animal abuse register. In fact, that was something I responded to in her place, and we are following this through and we will be able to update in due course.

Leader of the house, I know that you, like myself, and many other Members here, are an ardent supporter of the WASPI campaign, and I’m sure you’ll be aware of the recent pledge from the UK Labour Party to compensate those women who have been worst affected by the UK Government’s changes to the state pension age. This has been welcomed by the WASPI campaign as an important first step in getting justice for those who have been so unfairly treated. Could we have a statement from the Welsh Government on what it can do to make sure that those women born in the 1950s, many of whom face destitution from the cavalier changes steamrollered through by the UK Government, get the justice and the state pension that they so deserve?

I thank Vikki Howells for that question. Indeed, only last week, I met with Kay Clarke, a leading campaigner in Barry, whom I first met when she came here to a demonstration on the steps of the Senedd, and I think, Vikki, you were welcoming them as Assembly Member for Cynon Valley. And I have since, as an Assembly Member, got very engaged in supporting this campaign. Just for everyone to be clear, WASPI is Women Against State Pension Age Inequality, and although pension matters are non-devolved and are the responsibility of the Department for Work and Pensions in the UK Government, nevertheless, the Welsh Government remains concerned about the disproportionate effect, as Vikki Howells has described, that this change is having on a significant number of women. They’ve had their state pension age raised significantly without effective or sufficient notification, leaving them very little time to reshape their lives, their plans and their finances, and are waiting a number of additional years to become eligible for their state pension, and for what we would describe clearly as their entitlement. So, again, this is something on which we would want to ensure that we do what we can within our powers and certainly add our voice to the WASPI campaign.

Can I call for a single statement, a statement from the Cabinet Secretary for health, on vaginal mesh implants? The Minister will be aware that during the Easter recess this matter was covered extensively in the UK and Welsh press, after it was announced that 800 women across the UK were suing the NHS, stating that these had caused them pain and suffering. I was contacted by a constituent in north Wales, who asked me to raise this here in the Senedd with the Welsh Government. She told me that in 2004, at Ysbyty Gwynedd, she had a mesh implant and she’s since suffered badly from left hip pain, left thigh pain, pelvic pain and intimate pain, as one of, as she says, several thousand women across the UK who are suffering from these implants. Media coverage in Wales at the time said that, despite the complications reported, the mesh is still available to women in Wales, and that the Welsh Government had confirmed to WalesOnline that treatment was still available on the Welsh NHS, but that enhanced guidelines were in place. For the sake of my constituent, and, no doubt, many other women across Wales affected by these implants, I hope you will agree that this merits a statement. Thank you.

Well, I also, Mark Isherwood, have raised these concerns on behalf of my constituents as well. And, clearly, there has been recently more public awareness of this, as a result, for example, of MPs as well. Owen Smith MP, I know, has raised this in particular. So, I think the issue that you refer to in terms of the NHS, the procedure being available in Wales, and the fact that advice and guidance in 2014, when concerns were raised about adverse events associated with this form of treatment, again emphasising the need for informed consent, compliance with guidance standards, regular audits of surgery undertaken, adverse event reporting, ensuring that repeat surgery or removal of the mesh is performed by properly qualified specialists. So, we have, again, to maintain patient safety, reminded health boards to ensure they report any complications of surgery, and have given women who have had the procedure the option to self-report problems or adverse effects. And, clearly, it’s important that we put that on the record again today.

I’m asking for a Government statement on the number of council houses and flats proposed to be built in Wales. I know of the developments either under construction or proposed in Swansea, but it would be of benefit to know of all the developments that are proposed in Wales. And, just a reminder, before the Conservatives became an ultra-right-wing party, under leaders such as Churchill and Harold Macmillan, they promoted the building of council houses and flats.

Well, we’re now starting to see the benefit of our housing revenue account subsidy exit, with new council houses being built. So, I’m really grateful, Mike Hedges, that you’ve brought this to our attention for comment and a response from the Welsh Government today. As part of the housing pact with the Welsh Local Government Association and Community Housing Cymru, I am pleased to say that local housing authorities are aiming to deliver 1,000 affordable homes. And, of course, this is a valuable contribution towards our 20,000 target. So, once again, we are ensuring that council house building is happening and taking place, and providing affordable homes for people in Wales.

Cabinet Secretary, six years ago, I raised a business enterprise Bill in this Chamber, and I raised a very strong emphasis to promote our aviation industry. I heard very recently that our First Minister has arranged very close ties with one of the middle-eastern airlines, which is going to start next year. Don’t you think this is six years late, or seven years late, but is still a backbone for our economy? And could you ask the First Minister, or the Cabinet Secretary for transport, to make a statement on our aviation industry development in Wales? Thank you.

Well, I’m glad you’ve drawn this to our attention this afternoon, Mohammad Asghar, because I’m sure you heard, and you recognise it again, the First Minister welcoming the great news of the Qatar investment and engagement in our Cardiff airport, which we, of course, have not only secured, sustained, but are developing. So, you know, the aviation policy of this Welsh Government is clear, and is delivering, and will go from strength to strength. But it is important that we are able to, again, take stock of those good news announcements.

I thank the leader of the house, Jane Hutt.