2. Business Statement and Announcement

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 2:33 pm on 28 November 2017.

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Photo of Mohammad Asghar Mohammad Asghar Conservative 2:33, 28 November 2017

Leader of the house, may I ask for a statement on the lack of employment opportunities for people with learning disabilities in Wales, and learning difficulties also? Mencap Cymru has recently pointed out that there are huge barriers facing people with learning difficulties who want to work. They went on to say that the employment rate in Wales was terribly low, with many employers needing to be educated about the benefits of employing someone with a learning disability. May I ask for a statement on what the Welsh Government is doing to extend employment opportunities in this largely untapped potential workforce?

The second statement I need from the Minister would be that I visited a Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals establishment in Newport. It's a wonderful job that volunteers and officials are doing, but I was very much disturbed when I heard that some of the animals—some dogs—had been very cruelly treated by people. And the offenders list, or register, is not here in this country. People can kill one animal and go and buy another one, or get another, from other devolved areas of the United Kingdom. So, we should be doing something seriously, through our respectable, honourable Chamber, that the people should treat animals with respect in Wales. And the RSPCA is doing a wonderful job, and we should be supporting them. Thank you.