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

Llywydd, I’ve three changes to report to this week’s business. Later today the Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Infrastructure will make an oral statement on the Circuit of Wales. As a result, I postpone the oral statements on historic environment policy and legislation and the update on the pathfinder 111 NHS service in Wales until next week. Business for the next three weeks is as shown on the business statement and announcement, found among the meeting papers available to Members electronically.

Thank you, leader of the house, for your statement. Can I call for a statement from the Cabinet Secretary for Education on the allegations of racism and discrimination against non-white teaching staff in Welsh schools? You’ll be aware that there were concerns that were raised by Race Council Cymru regarding allegations of racism, and that that could be putting applicants from ethnic minority backgrounds off in terms of applying to be enrolled onto teacher training courses. This is clearly something we have to address. We’re not having sufficient numbers of people from non-white backgrounds making applications onto courses at the moment, and that could be a factor in the underachievement of learners from some specific ethnic minority backgrounds. So, I would appreciate it if you could schedule a statement as soon as possible.

I thank Darren Millar for raising that very important point. Those allegations must be and are being taken very seriously. I know the Cabinet Secretary for Education will want to address that. Of course, this is the sort of issue as well that I know that, in her meetings with the education unions—that these issues are also discussed.

I want to raise the issue of Cardiff Aviation, based in the Vale of Glamorgan. It’s another company that has received millions of pounds from the Welsh Government, promising to bring thousands of jobs to south Wales. It now seems that only a third of those jobs were created, and I had to bring to light that Cardiff Aviation have failed to pay any rent for a number of years. It now emerges that your Government has written off the £1.5 million, which you’ll never get back. It’s also emerged that employees have gone unpaid for months, and your Government is now distancing itself from the company. When the poorest people in Wales are unable to pay their rent because of the bedroom tax, Labour councils throw those people out on the street. Why have you let millionaire owners of Cardiff Aviation get away with paying nothing in rent and writing the debt off, and why are you distancing yourselves from this company when you should be demanding that the hard workers at Cardiff Aviation get the wages that they have worked for?

The company Cardiff Aviation is currently meeting all of their financial commitments to the Welsh Government. The management of Cardiff Aviation Ltd’s workforce is a matter for the company. Welsh Government has had no involvement in the company’s recently announced workforce reshaping. The agreement between the Welsh Government and Cardiff Aviation is commercially sensitive and it would be inappropriate for us to comment on its content.

Last week we had the awful news that Tesco will be making 1,100 employees redundant from its customer service centre on Maes-y-Coed Road in my constituency of Cardiff North. I had a meeting with senior managers last Thursday and on Friday I visited the site with my colleague Jenny Rathbone and with Anna McMorrin, the newly elected Labour MP for Cardiff North. We met the employees who were absolutely devastated by this news, because there has been a presence for 27 years for these types of services that are provided by Tesco, and I know that we all agree that this is a huge blow to all the individuals and the area involved. I was able to raise this issue in economy questions to Ken Skates last week, but in view of the fact this is such a huge number of jobs, and in view of the impact it will have on the area, would it be possible to have either a statement on this issue, so that we can raise it, or a debate on this particular issue?

I thank Julie Morgan for raising this today. Indeed, you were able to raise it just after the news had broken last week when the Cabinet Secretary was undertaking his oral questions. Also, Jenny Rathbone and, of course, Anna McMorrin—we saw her raising this in the House of Commons very clearly and forcefully. It’s devastating news for the workforce and their families, as you identified, Julie. The First Minister and the Cabinet Secretary for economy have already spoken to Matt Davies, the chief executive of Tesco, to express our concerns at this decision, and reiterated our commitments to do everything we can to support the workers during this very difficult period, clearly working in close collaboration with Tesco and the major support agencies locally, including Careers Wales, Jobcentre Plus, colleges and Cardiff council, to deliver a comprehensive package of support for the workers affected by this decision. But also, importantly, USDAW, the union, is working very closely with colleagues to provide the support they need, and is closely engaged in the ongoing consultation. I think this clearly has to be a matter on which the Cabinet Secretary and the Government will be updating Members accordingly, taking on board the importance, of course, of this being raised this afternoon in the business statement.

Just to endorse the comments that the Member for Cardiff North raised—and many politicians from across the political divide have met with Tesco. What alarmed me last week was, obviously, the Cabinet Secretary confirming that the Government had had no notice of these redundancies, or potential redundancies, because that’s the term we have to use because it’s subject to consultation. In particular, there hasn’t been a statement forthcoming from the Government to date, given that there was a conference call between the First Minister and the Cabinet Secretary, as the Cabinet Secretary indicated in questions, an hour after he informed the Chamber of events on Wednesday afternoon. I do think it is vitally important that we do get a comprehensive statement from the Government to understand the interaction between large companies when they do come around to these decisions. Tesco, let’s not forget, is the largest private employer in Wales, with 19,000 employees across the length and breadth of Wales. For the Government to completely be blindsided by these proposals really does pose questions about the level of communication.

But secondly, I would implore you as leader of the house that, when these announcements are made, a more timely response is made available to Members around the actions. And I support the actions that the Government have taken to date, but it would have been helpful if we could have had a more timely statement at the back end of last week that could have informed us of the outcomes of the conference call the First Minister and the Cabinet Secretary had undertaken and any assurances that you might have had from the company at such a senior level as to future investment in Wales and, importantly, what potential there might be for reversing this decision. So, I would ask you, leader of the house, to reflect on the flow of information from the Government to Members when such a critical announcement is made. Let’s not forget, this was the biggest single job loss for the last 10 years that’s been announced in Wales, if it is carried out after the consultation period.

Well, of course, Andrew R.T. Davies does recognise the discourtesy—the lack of information, the lack of warning for this devastating news—to the Welsh Government last Wednesday afternoon, and the fact that the Cabinet Secretary was able to say that he was going to then speak, with the First Minister, with the chief executive of Tesco—and, course, meetings that all AMs and MPs, across parties, had engaged with with Tesco. I think it is very important to recognise that Tesco have reiterated that this decision wasn’t a reflection of performance or of doing business in Cardiff. The site has been very successful and, indeed, the fact that the customer service industry is particularly strong in Wales—Cardiff is proving itself a successful and growing location for operations across a broad range of sub-sectors. But this, in terms of the impact it has on the employees—the devastating impact—. You know the Welsh Contact Centre Forum is working very closely to see how it can, with Tesco and the affected employees, help secure alternative employment. But we are in a consultation phase, and the Cabinet Secretary will update accordingly to the Assembly.

Leader of the house, I’m sure that you’d agree that maintaining high standards in our democracy and our electoral system is paramount. I was, therefore, shocked to see the Channel 4 revelations at the end of last week that suggested that a call centre in Neath may have broken data and electoral law when undertaking duties on behalf of the Conservative Party in the recent general election. I’m surprised Andrew R.T. didn’t have time to bring this up just now. These allegations include paid canvassing on behalf of election candidates, banned under election law; political cold calling to prohibited numbers; and misleading calls claiming to be from an independent market research company that does not exist. Now, I’ve already written to South Wales Police’s chief constable on this matter, but I would be grateful if the Welsh Government were to bring forward a statement in terms of what it is doing and intends doing, in conjunction with the UK Government Information Commissioner and others, to uphold and improve standards in our electoral system. Diolch yn fawr.

Well, I’m very grateful that Dai Lloyd has brought this to our attention, not just ‘Channel 4 News’ revealing it to us—but, in fact, that’s how we got the information, isn’t it, Dai, in terms of this behaviour and the impact of it, which actually didn’t do them any good in the end, did it, in terms of the electoral outcome in the general election. But, clearly, this is a matter that we would want to look at very carefully as a Welsh Government.

Bryn Compost Ltd in Gelligaer in my constituency recycles all of Caerphilly county borough’s food waste. The people of Gelligaer have been plagued by odours from the failed in-vessel composting facility that exists there, and have decided over the longer term not to recycle their food waste as a protest, and it’s something I’ve supported them in. An anaerobic digester placed there has gone some way to resolving some of the issues. Afonydd Cymru have called for the better regulation of anaerobic digesters, and I now have one in my constituency. In order to try and resolve some of the issues, Caerphilly County Borough Council set up a liaison committee, which consisted of councillors, residents, environmental health officers, Natural Resources Wales and the operator, to, first of all, oversee the failed IVC facility, but now to oversee the AD facility.

It’s clear that perhaps more needs to be done to scrutinise the industry, but perhaps the Welsh Government could encourage or even compel local authorities with anaerobic digesters in their wards to follow Caerphilly’s example as an example of best practice. Indeed, I would hope that Caerphilly would retain their liaison committee to oversee this anaerobic digestion facility. Would the Welsh Government therefore consider making a statement on the regulation and monitoring of anaerobic digesters?

Well, I thank Hefin David for that question. The regulation and monitoring of anaerobic digesters on farms is the responsibility, as you say, of Natural Resources Wales. Under the environmental permitting regime, farms can register an exemption, provided they meet set criteria and limits, for example the volume of materials that they can treat. But following recent incidents, not just the one that you referred to, Hefin, we’ve asked NRW to review the regulations and we’ll be working very closely with them on this. And the evidence today will, I’m sure, be taken into account.

Leader of the house, three years ago this month I brought forward a short debate to this Chamber calling on the Welsh Government to look at better ways of supporting people suffering from motor neurone disease, an extremely cruel condition that afflicts its sufferers massively. This month is MND awareness month, and the Motor Neurone Association are promoting the My Eyes Say campaign. Three years on from that short debate, I wonder if you could tell us how the Welsh Government has brought forward policies to improve the lives of people suffering from motor neurone disease. It’s one of those rare disease conditions that has often, in the past, perhaps sometimes understandably, fallen off the agenda when considered alongside other conditions, such as heart disease and cancer. But for those people suffering from it, it is life-changing, and I would look to see how the Welsh Government are improving conditions for people suffering from that.

Can I secondly ask: some years back, I asked the previous economy Minister—well BETS, as it was then: business, enterprise and technology—for a review into the trunk road programme in Wales. She did, at that point, undertake to have a review of the trunk road system. I wonder if we could get an update on where we are with that, and what the findings of that review were. There are certain accident hotspots across Wales, relating to our trunk road network, which still need addressing. The junction of the A40 and the A449 in my constituency is one such spot where there has been another recent accident—a junction there causing immense concern. There was an undertaking of the previous Minister, as they were called then, that hotspots like this would be looked at as part of that trunk road strategy review, and I wonder if you could update us on that.

Thank you to Nick Ramsay for raising awareness again of motor neurone disease. The fact that it is awareness month does mean that it will be drawn to our attention, I’m sure, as Assembly Members, and we will all know of constituents and family members who have been devastatingly affected by this disease. And, of course, this is something where, again, it’s an opportunity to update on progress, which I’m sure the Cabinet Secretary will be willing to do.

On your second point, in terms of the trunk road programme, I have to say that the Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Infrastructure, obviously through his officials, is regularly reviewing the impact of a number of incidents, particularly in relation to the trunk road network across Wales, and recently issued a written statement regarding the north Wales trunk road network. But, again, we will look to where that review, which you indicated was announced a few years ago, is in terms of current arrangements.

I want to raise the issue of the sustainability of health services in rural areas with you, if I may. There is a surgery in my region, in Corwen, which serves 4,000 people, in the area that borders Gwynedd, Conwy and Denbighshire. It’s a very rural area, where they’ve been receiving a rural grant from the local health board to ensure that the service is sustainable there. They’ve also been doing additional work such as blood tests, and one of the partners is a specialist in cardiac issues. But the health board is now withdrawing that grant, and saying that they, as a surgery, need to diversify. That puts them in an impossible situation, to all intents and purposes. Bear in mind that this happens as well in the context of losing community hospitals, which have been providing some of these important services in rural areas, from Llangollen in the east to Blaenau Ffestiniog in the west.

So, may I ask you to ensure that the health Secretary brings a statement to this Senedd as to what support the Welsh Government is providing to ensure that health services, such as those in Corwen, can continue to be sustainable in rural areas? Is the Government content that the health board is withdrawing this specific grant, and undermining the sustainability of rural surgeries in north Wales, such as the one in Corwen? What exactly is the long-term vision of the Welsh Government, in terms of securing the sustainability of health services in our rural areas?

Well, it’s important, in response to that question, to recognise that the health board is working in partnership with the GP practice in Corwen to agree ongoing funding support, in line with the Welsh Government’s GP sustainable assessment framework. And that should help the practice continue to provide a service for the residents of Corwen, and the surrounding area. In fact, they’re finalising payment for additional cardiology services, provided by the practice. The health board’s committed to make a significant investment into the development of Corwen health centre, and is currently tendering for contractors, to finalise plans for the development. So, obviously, that’s hopefully an update for you in terms of progress in recognising the issues in that area. But, of course, we continue to invest record levels of funding in primary care.

Just picking up on the concerns that have been raised about Tesco, I was very concerned to read that Tesco wrote a letter to staff, saying that their primary concern was to remain customer focused, while failing to mention that that customer focus was dependent on the loyal contribution of their staff, which seems to me an absolute own goal, as far as public relations is concerned. So, I’m particularly concerned to learn what the Government can do to ensure that the 1,200 people who are potentially going to lose their jobs within six months—what tailored services they’re going to be able to call upon to ensure that they have clear the options available to them in terms of their next career move?

Secondly, I just wanted to pick up the subject of excessive gambling that was briefly mentioned in First Minister’s questions. I was involved in a panel at a seminar last Wednesday, organised by the Living Room, called Beat the Odds, which is the only organisation, as far as I’m aware, that actually offers treatment services for people who are addicted to gambling. And given the amount of harm that gambling does in our community, I wondered if we could have a debate so we can discuss a lot further what we as an Assembly could do to beat this particular problem, because I detect there’s quite considerable cross-party support for doing something about this, before it becomes an even bigger problem.

Thank you, Jenny Rathbone. I think it is important that Tesco realises the public are very concerned—their customers are very concerned, about the way that their workforce has been treated in Cardiff. And, of course, so many people working, and families and communities, are affected by their devastating announcement last week. It just indicates their lack of understanding and recognition of the loyalty and the commitment that has very clearly come over from the staff at Tesco House. I think I have mentioned ways in which, of course, we are working with the support agencies locally—Careers Wales, Jobcentre Plus, colleges and Cardiff council—and working with the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers as well, and also with the Welsh contact centre forum, because, of course, skilled staff coming into the jobs market over the next year is important to secure alternative employment, and also significant interest from companies across the region to absorb the talent and skills in the financial and professional services sector, and employment opportunities created at other regulated customer service centres. It is important, though, that that message goes back to Tesco about that level of political and public concern about the support we can give.

On your second point, of course it’s the impact of excessive gambling where our responsibility is particularly. I mean, obviously, prevention is crucial, and I think this is an area where I’m sure we can see an appropriate way in which a debate or statement could be made.

I’d like to ask for a Welsh Government statement on how the Welsh Government is working with the university sector in Wales to help increase the gross value added. The university sector will play a pivotal role in developing a highly skilled, highly educated and highly productive economy. Developments should include science parks developed by the universities such as Cambridge and Aarhus in Denmark, as well as growing student numbers and supporting innovation.

Can I also add my voice to Jenny Rathbone’s in asking for a debate relating to gambling and the problems of it? When you have those gambling machines that can take £100 in 20 seconds, that can create very, very serious problems for a large number of people. I know of the work my local MP, Carolyn Harris, is doing in Westminster in trying to get action taken, but I think that we end up picking up the pieces in social services. I mean, when you can lose £300 in a minute, not many people in Wales can afford to do that, so please can we have a debate, as Jenny Rathbone asked for?

Well, I would, again, just in response to that second question, say that this is—. I very clearly recognise the work that Carolyn Harris is doing and the impact that she’s made as your MP, but also I think we are convinced, and it is timely that we do look at an appropriate time and arrangement for a debate on the impact of gambling.

Of course, on your first substantive point: universities are, of course, crucial to the economic well-being of Wales. We’re keen to ensure we take every opportunity to influence and encourage collaboration, which is crucial, between our universities and businesses, at home and overseas. And I think it’s a strong university research base that, actually, does underpin our thriving economy, and that was referenced last week, indeed, on a debate on the impact of Brexit.

Thank you, leader of the house.