The next item is the business statement and announcement. I call on the Trefnydd, Rebecca Evans, to make that statement. Rebecca Evans.

Diolch, Llywydd. There are no changes to this week's business. Draft business for the next three weeks is set out in the business statement and announcement, which can be found amongst the meeting papers available to Members electronically.

Laura Jones.

Thank you. Diolch—'Prime Minister' I nearly called you then—Presiding Officer. [Laughter.]

Who knows?

Business Minister, children and young people across England are looking forward to returning to the classroom from Monday. Here in Wales, most secondary school pupils are completely in the dark about when they might return, except that it won't be until the summer term. The Welsh Government hasn't given a commitment that return to school will be full time. Minister, in your own Government's alert system, schools are supposed to remain open to all pupils at alert level 4. Most council areas meet your criteria for levels 2 or 3, with incident rates similar to those in late September. With the rapid progress in vaccination and now lateral flow testing for school staff, many families can't understand why schools remain closed for the majority of pupils. Can you tell us when the education Minister or First Minister will be in a position to make a clear, unambiguous statement about reopening schools to all pupils? Thank you.

I'm grateful for this opportunity to reiterate that the Government's priority is absolutely to ensure that children are able to resume their learning. We do understand what an impact this year has had on children, their learning, but also those wider benefits that children get from being in school, which is why we've invested so much this year and in our budget for next year in terms of helping children catch up and so forth. I do know that Members and families at home will be very keen to understand the next steps, and the Minister will be providing that information to colleagues as soon as possible, but, of course, we have that within the context of the three-weekly review. I'm afraid that's all I can say for today, but just to reiterate, really, that this is a priority area for us, and to highlight the advice that we had, which of course was that, if we did return all children to school at once, it could lead to an increase in the R rate of between 10 and 50 per cent. Clearly, that wasn't something that we were willing to do. So, returning children to the classroom has to be done in a phased way and a safe way. But I know that colleagues will be keen to provide more information as soon as we're able to. 

I heard the First Minister's response earlier to a question about vaccination priority for unpaid carers. I've had a number of people in the Rhondda who have contacted me saying that they are either unpaid carers or that they have underlying health conditions but they haven't been put into the priority categories. We're aware that a form is on its way for unpaid carers to be able to register their details, and hopefully after that has happened they will be offered a vaccine quite soon. But can your Government provide any more details or information to constituents who are concerned that they should be getting a vaccine but they're not? Can you clarify how they'll be identified and prioritised? Will a form be available to everyone who feels that they should be a priority but they haven't been classed as a priority for vaccination purposes?

We do have the statement from the Minister for Health and Social Services as the next item of business this afternoon, and that statement is specifically an update on the vaccination scheme, so I know that this will be something that colleagues will be interested in hearing about and asking about during the questions following the statement. I will say that the Welsh Government has provided guidance, and we've sought to take as broad an approach as possible to this, so not just confining this to people who are in receipt of carer's allowance, but ensuring that all of those people who need to have the vaccine are able to do so, which is why we've taken that wider approach and are developing the form that Leanne Wood referred to. But I think that it would probably be best left to my colleague the health Minister to answer the more detailed questions in the next item of business. 

Minister, we're coming to the end of this Senedd, and I think this is the last three-week period for which we'll have a statement to discuss. I would therefore be very grateful if you could either seek an oral statement or a written statement on the following subjects.

First of all, access to primary care. We know, through the pandemic, that the whole of the national health service, primary and secondary care, have worked well to support the needs of our communities, but there are parts of the country where access to primary care, access to GP services, has been a real issue. There has been great investment in my constituency in Blaenau Gwent, but there are still areas where we've got some fantastic resources, but we can't get access to see GPs and to receive the primary care that we require. I would be grateful if the Government could make a statement on that. 

The second issue is that of long COVID. We know that there are increasing numbers of people now who have come through the trauma of COVID itself but have been left dealing with the consequences of long COVID. I think there are many people who would like to understand what the Government's plans are to ensure that there is support and services and treatment available for people into the future to support them in their recovery. Thank you. 

Thank you to Alun Davies for raising both of those issues. As he was speaking, I was looking ahead to the three weeks we have after this one to see if there will be an opportunity to have an oral statement. I will speak to colleagues following today's business statement about all of the requests that we receive. However, if we're not able to accommodate an oral statement, then I know certainly on the matter of long COVID particularly, the Minister will be keen to provide a statement updating on the written statement he issued a few weeks ago about the support that we're seeking to put in place for people. 

Trefnydd, the First Minister said earlier in First Minister's questions that £42 million—I think that was the figure he gave—has been earmarked in the final budget for tackling mental health issues in Wales. I wonder when we could have a breakdown of that spending, please. I'm particularly interested in the role that sport can play in helping with mental health issues. Also, an issue I've raised in previous Plenaries is that of rural areas and mental health issues, which often go unnoticed. 

Secondly, could we have an update from the health Minister on stroke services, following the report in September about how COVID is affecting stroke survivors in Wales? 

And, finally, if I may, Llywydd, the Public Accounts Committee has been looking at the effectiveness of the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015. That's going to be a debate that we'll be having over the next few weeks. We talk a lot about green recovery, but I think that when we come out of the pandemic and the lockdown, the temptation to lapse back into some of the old ways of doing things will be pretty strong. So, could we have a statement, and perhaps an embryonic route map, on what building back better will actually look like in practice, so that we really cement this in the public psyche, and we all know where we're going in the future so that we genuinely are building back better and not just talking about it? 

Thank you to Nick Ramsay. It gives me a great opportunity to highlight to colleagues that, at 3 o'clock this afternoon, the final budget will be published, and therein you will find further detail on the allocations that we're making for next year, including spend on mental health.

In terms of stroke services, I'll make your request known to the Minister for Health and Social Services in that regard.FootnoteLink

And on the green recovery and building back better, again I think we'll have an interesting opportunity to explore some of that in the final budget debate next week, where colleagues will be able to ask some further questions about the capital stimulus package that we've announced just this week of £220 million, which includes additional funding for housing, and we're putting a specific focus on green housing, for example. And in the budget you'll also see funding for moving schools to zero carbon and so on. So, lots of exciting things for us to discuss in the final budget next week, which will be very relevant to the green recovery. 

Information further to Plenary 

Firstly, I wanted to raise concerns with you with regard to comments that were made by an NHS public servant last week. James Moore, who was seconded at the time to Health Education and Improvement Wales, made awful comments comparing the treatment of English speakers to that of apartheid. So, this was a campaign against a new Welsh school in west Wales. Now, notwithstanding the fact that this is entirely crass, to compare the experiences of apartheid to that of an issue in Wales where Welsh is an equal language to English, it is inappropriate for somebody in this position to make such comments. And, at the time, HEIW tried to wash their hands of this by saying that it was a private matter, and that he'd said it in a private capacity. Now, he's been transferred back to the Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust, and I know that they are taking action. But this goes wider than the ambulance trust, because James Moore is also the NHS lead for compassionate leadership. 

So, I would like to have a statement from Welsh Government to ask you what more you are doing to make sure that you do not tolerate anybody who works for the NHS, or any other public service, making such awful remarks pertaining to the Welsh language, and that you have a zero-tolerance approach to this in the future. 

My second request for a statement is with regard to baby development groups that are taking place during this particular pandemic. We know that in lockdown they haven't been able to meet face to face, and that they've resorted to doing those classes on Zoom. In the last few days alone, a new petition has started, which has garnered 100 signatures already, to try and get those face-to-face classes back up and running. Will the Welsh Government commit to this so that those parents and those babies who want to see development in those early stages can meet and can then practice in those classes? Thank you. 

Thank you for raising these issues. I do echo the sentiments that have already been made by my colleague, the Minister for Mental Health, Well-being and the Welsh Language, who has said that the comments to which you refer were completely unacceptable, because, of course, we are a nation that's really proud of our history and our culture, and our Welsh language is absolutely integral to that. And Welsh belongs to us all regardless of whether we are Welsh speakers or not, and I think the vast majority of Welsh people are absolutely proud and passionate about our language as well. 

I do know that the Minister has spoken with the chair of HEIW, and I know that she impressed upon HEIW how important a part the Welsh language plays in serving the public of Wales as a whole. And, of course, now that would be a matter for HEIW to take forward internally to ensure that that is given the prominence and respect that it requires in future, but Eluned Morgan has taken this matter very seriously.

And on baby development groups, there are a wide range of face-to-face classes that we would love to see opened as soon as the situation is safe to do so. Clearly, there are groups of all kinds that are so important to our mental health and well-being, but particularly I know that baby development groups have a special purpose to serve as well. So, that will definitely be something that we consider as we move through each of the three-weekly review periods.

Can I ask for a statement on the state of the aviation sector in Wales? The Chancellor, in today's budget, has the last opportunity for the UK Government to extend the furlough scheme, to give specific sectoral support for the aviation sector in Wales. The aviation sector in Wales is virtually on the brink of collapse if something doesn't happen—companies like GE Aviation Wales in my constituency, where they're at economic risk of losing hundreds of skilled jobs in Wales, and other parts of the aviation sector. At GE in Nantgarw, a further 180 men have been furloughed until 30 April, leaving at the moment just 350 remaining in employment in Nantgarw, and, as I've said, other plants are at risk. So, we are at risk of losing an entire sector, so this is a crisis situation emerging that will have a massive impact on Wales. So it's vital we look at how the industry can be supported in Wales, and vital that the UK Government actually extends the furlough scheme by at least six months. A couple of months' extension, as has been suggested, is not the specific support that the sector needs to actually survive, compared with the support being given to the aviation sector in other European countries. And I think this matter requires really an urgent statement from Welsh Government.

Thank you for raising this. The Welsh Government has been calling on the UK Government consistently, right throughout the crisis, to introduce some targeted support for the aerospace sector. And I know my colleague, the Minister for Economy, Transport and North Wales, has consistently raised this sector support, and actually the issue of extending furlough, in his regular meetings with UK Ministers. Despite the kind of lobbying that we've been making, industry-specific support hasn't been forthcoming. But, as Mick Antoniw says, other countries have shown that it is possible to provide that sector-specific support; the Governments of France, Germany and the USA have all managed to find a way to do this. So we'll continue to press the UK Government to take action here. And, as we know, the budget tomorrow will be an ideal opportunity for the UK Government to show that kind of commitment. Ahead of the UK Government's budget tomorrow, I wrote, as I always do, to the Chancellor, ahead of the budget, setting out Wales's priorities. And within that, I included the need for further certainty for business, and a commitment that the UK Government will continue with the furlough scheme for as long as it is necessary. And I think that the case study that Mick Antoniw has just described provides a really strong case for the UK Government to do just that. And we would call on them to make some significant moves in this area tomorrow.

Trefnydd, can I echo Laura Anne Jones's request, and ask the Minister for Education to now make a statement regarding the reopening of schools across Wales? I appreciate that a phased return for children has now begun, but I'm also receiving representations from parents in my constituency who are frustrated that some of their children are unable to return to school, and are understandably worried about the impact that their prolonged absence from the classroom may have on their studies. Parents I speak to now want clarity as to when their children will be able to return to school, because, without further clarity from the Government, there is a possibility that some children will not return to the classroom until after Easter. And given that this is supposedly a priority for the Government, then surely that's not good enough.

Now, as was mentioned earlier, the Welsh Government's own criteria in its alert level system confirms that schools in level 4 can stay open. And with the vaccination programme now making significant progress, it's vital that children and younger learners are able to return to school as soon as possible. And I heard your earlier response to this issue, but I believe it's important now that the Government provides clarity on this matter. And I'd be grateful, therefore, if the Minister for Education could now provide an urgent update to Members on the Welsh Government's specific plans to enable learners to return to school, so that parents can have some clarity and understanding about when their children can return to the classroom.

The Minister for Education will have heard that request for the further detail and the clarity, and I know that, as soon as she is in a position to say more about the next steps, she will obviously be very keen to do so. But, as I say, the Minister will be listening, and I'll make sure that I do have a further conversation following Plenary, this afternoon, to explore what the next steps might be, in terms of updating our colleagues. 

May I ask for a statement from the Minister for Economy, Transport and North Wales as a matter of urgency following the decision by the Joloda Hydraroll company to move as many as 27 jobs from Gaerwen on Anglesey to Liverpool? This has been a very important employer on the island for many decades, and I'm very concerned about the workforce and their families now, who've been told that they are facing these job losses. Many of them have been in touch with me over the past few days. 

Now, in November, the company received £80,000 from the Welsh Government to invest in the Gaerwen site. That was on top of £26,000 from the economic resilience fund earlier in the year. I've written to the Minister some days ago, and I'm hopeful that he will be as eager as myself to ensure that everything possible is done to try and retain these jobs on Anglesey. 

Thank you for raising this and, clearly, it is very, very concerning indeed. I will ask the Minister for economy and transport to expedite his response to your particular correspondence on this issue, given the importance of this to the local community and the need to respond very quickly. But Welsh Government will always seek to put in place our packages of support for workers when they do find themselves in these difficult situations. But, as I say, I'll make sure that the Minister responds very quickly to your correspondence. 

Darren Millar. I can't hear you, Darren Millar. You look as if—

Is that better?

Yes, it is. Yes. 

Diolch, Llywydd. Trefnydd, can I call for a statement on the reopening of garden centres in Wales? You'll be aware that in both England and Scotland garden centres have been considered to be essential services, because of the impact of gardening on both physical and mental health and well-being. And I think it's a great shame that here in Wales our garden centres are still closed, especially given that many supermarkets and DIY stores are selling many of the products that would be available in our garden centres across the country. Can you tell us what consideration the Welsh Government is giving to this at the moment? I do think it would be prudent now to have a statement on their future, given that so many are teetering on the brink of bankruptcy as well, because of the fact that many of them can have significant staff and other running costs, which have not been completely met by the Government support programmes to date. 

Thank you for raising the specific issue of garden centres. I know my colleague, the Minister for economy and transport has an OAQ session tomorrow, so there might be an opportunity there to raise this. But I know that this, alongside all of the other concerns that have been raised this afternoon about children returning to school, baby classes and so forth, are all things that we consider as we move through our next three-weekly review period. So, as soon as we're able to say anything further on the reopening of garden centres, I know we'd be keen to do so. But, in the meantime, I would encourage you to advise your garden centres in your constituency of the support that's available from the Welsh Government. I appreciate that they would prefer to be opening than being in receipt of support, as is the case for all businesses, but the support should be there to help them for now. But, as I say, all of this is captured within the three-weekly review period. 

I'm sure the whole Senedd will join me in congratulating the Welsh rugby team for their phenomenal victory against England on Saturday, in a scintillating game in Cardiff, and winning the Triple Crown. They, once again, embodied the spirit of the nation in showing character, determination and winning against the odds, and they showed that, when you're disciplined and when you can rely on some of our superstars for moments of inspiration, you can create the conditions for victory against world-class opposition.

Now, Trefnydd, I'm aware that the Welsh Government has offered support and a support package to Welsh rugby, which has obviously been very welcome, but could we, please, have a statement setting out how the Government will ensure that the game, at a grass-roots level, will be put on a sustainable footing in the future? I know many local clubs across Wales could do with assurance in the long term, especially when it comes to ground fees.

And finally, Llywydd, I wonder whether you as well would be inclined to agree that we should have a repeat of the 2019 celebration outside the Senedd after our team had won the Grand Slam—of course, when it's safe—whether or not they go on to repeat that accomplishment, because, surely, winning the Triple Crown under these circumstances is cause for celebration in itself, though of course we all hope they will go on to get the Grand Slam.

Thank you for raising this. It was nice to see lots of smiling faces and clapping colleagues on screen when you were making your contribution there. Of course, it was a very, very different match day for all of us, but I think that the team obviously knew we were all rooting from our sofas, so, excellent result and I absolutely share all of your enthusiasm for that. The Minister with responsibility for grass-roots sport will have been listening very carefully to your concern about the smaller local clubs and the support that we're able to offer the grass-roots game, and I know that, as we move towards the end of term now, we are looking to see what the best way is to provide updates to colleagues but also to use the time that we do have available to us in Plenary, and I do know that this will be something that the Minister will be anxiously considering, how he can best update colleagues.

Yes. Well done, Wales—you've cheered a nation, made us all happy.

Thank you very much. Well done, Wales.