1. Will the First Minister make a statement on the practical steps the Welsh Government is taking in North Wales to respond to the climate emergency? OAQ54687

Llywydd, thank you very much. We are taking a number of practical steps in north Wales in order to address climate change and the climate emergency. These steps vary from very local steps, such as giving funding to community councils to use energy-efficient street lighting, to investing in marine energy schemes such as Morlais and Minesto, in order to create a new industry for Wales.

The hydro energy sector has been in touch with me, expressing concern about non-domestic business rates. You will know that a grant has been given by the Welsh Government over the past few years in order to assist with paying those rates and safeguarding those projects from the possible substantial increase in non-domestic rates. It’s over a year now since the Government commissioned and published a report that looked at the situation and which proposed alternatives, but we’re now reaching the point where, of course, there will be a budget that will be delayed before its publication this year and the sector still doesn’t know whether the grant will exist for next year or whether there will be more far-reaching changes to the way in which they are taxed. They are in limbo. They need to know exactly what’s happening, because if they are not safeguarded from this rise, then obviously a number of them will go out of business. So, when will they learn what’s happening next year?

Well, may I thank Llyr Gruffydd for that supplementary question? Of course, we, as a Government, have been eager to support the sector, particularly the local and community sector. As Members have heard from Llyr Gruffydd, because of the general election we have deferred our budget until after the election in December. I can speak to the Minister and officials so that they can have a discussion with the sector in the interim so that we can give them the latest information.

First Minister, one of the biggest risks for north Wales, as a result of climate change, is, of course, rising sea levels and flood risk. Last night, like many people in my constituency, I received a flood alert because of the vulnerability of flood defences along the coast in my constituency, including in Towyn and Kinmel Bay, where, 30 years ago, in February next year, we will be commemorating the anniversary of the devastating floods that occurred in that community. The flood defences are insufficient in Towyn and Kinmel Bay at present to the extent that no new residential house building has been allowed in the area for over a decade. What action will your Government take in order to improve the defences in Towyn and Kinmel Bay so that my constituents don't have to live in fear every time they get an alert on their phone about potential flooding in their area? 

Well, I thank the Member for that important question and recognise, of course, the anxieties that are faced by people whenever flooding is a risk to their property. The Member will know that we have an ambitious £350 million programme of flood defences during this Assembly term, and I know that the Member himself, in previous debates on this matter, has acknowledged the work that has been done in other parts of his constituency to alleviate flooding. He knows as well that, in some parts of Wales, there are commercial interests that themselves have to bear part of the cost of providing the defences that are necessary. The Welsh Government will play our part, but other organisations cannot simply look to the Welsh Government to bear all the costs when there are clearly business and commercial interests at stake as well. But I want to give the Member an assurance that the position that he has outlined is known to the Minister, is considered actively by her, and the Welsh Government does want to look to find a solution in that part of the north Wales coast.