2. Business Statement and Announcement

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 2:27 pm on 22 May 2018.

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Photo of Julie James Julie James Labour 2:27, 22 May 2018

Absolutely. Thank you for both of those important issues. On electrical fire safety, as I'm sure we all remember, Carl Sargeant said to the Assembly last year that we had real concerns about the growth in domestic fires originating in the electrical supply, and he commissioned in-depth research into the problem, which is now complete. It examines the extent and possible cause of the trend in detail and recommends further action by the fire service and others. The Cabinet Secretary for Local Government and Public Services is about to publish that research, and then we'll be able to react appropriately to the research and put the appropriate measures in place. I know the Member has had a long-standing concern about such matters.

In terms of the Virgin Media situation, indeed, obviously, we share a number of concerns on this, as do all of the AMs in the region. We've all attended a number of meetings. We have now given assistance to the staff association there to come up with a possible alternative bid, as discussed at the meeting we were at. We've also put the taskforce in place, so that funding will be available as soon as the taskforce is allowed entry, and my understanding is that that will be as soon as the consultation process is finished, which is any minute now—at the end of this week, I think, but I'll check on the exact date on that. My understanding is that, in line with all the other events that we've, unfortunately, had to deal with, the taskforce will then go in, once that consultation is complete. If something changes on that, or there's some difficulty with the company in allowing access to those funds, I will certainly report back to the Senedd, because it's a matter of huge concern to us that the workers are treated fairly and appropriately during this really very unsettling process, and that the Welsh Government can give them as much assistance as we possibly can.