2. Business Statement and Announcement

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 2:50 pm on 26 November 2019.

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Photo of Jenny Rathbone Jenny Rathbone Labour 2:50, 26 November 2019

Three things. One is: can I just follow up on the points raised by Mike Hedges and Nick Ramsay on free swimming? Because, like them, I've had correspondence from older people who've been affected by the changes in the timetable in our local swimming pools, but I've had absolutely no correspondence whatsoever from any families of children, or indeed from children, who are affected by the reconfiguration of this service, which tells me that they were probably, in the main, unaware that this service existed, which is what has been worrying me for some time. So, what I want to see, in due course, is a report that demonstrates that the more-targeted approach on communities that can't afford to do this free swimming is actually working, so that we are seeing an increased uptake by the people who really most need this service. Anyway—so, I'll leave that with you.

Secondly, I just wanted to highlight a report launched in the Pierhead today on infrastructure supporting healthy and active lives by the Civil Engineering Contractors Association, which is the outcome of the deliberations of a conference with other engineers. The ambition that they have for integrated infrastructure planning to promote active lifestyles and create active social, healthy places is really good, because without excellence in engineering it is extremely difficult for us to achieve the ambitious targets that we have. So, I just wanted to point that out to all Members, including the Government, particularly as you're in charge of procurement, as they, I'm sure, have a lot to contribute.

Thirdly, I wonder if I can just ask for a statement from the health Minister—an update on the 'Healthy Weight: Healthy Wales' strategy—to confirm whether or not he intends to include, as a matter of priority, (a) restrictions on price promotions on high-fat, high-sugar, high-salt foods, and (b) a restriction on hot food takeaways near schools.