The next item is the business statement and announcement. I call on the Trefnydd to make the statement—Lesley Griffiths.

Diolch, Llywydd. There is one change to today's agenda: the statement by the Minister for Social Justice has been retitled 'Well-being of future generations national implementation'. Draft business for the next three sitting weeks is set out on the business statement and announcement, which can be found amongst the meeting papers available to Members electronically.

Trefnydd, can I call for two statements today, please? The first is in relation to the ambulance service. I know that the Minister for Health and Social Services has made it clear that she'll be receiving monthly updates on the delivery against the ambulance delivery plan, and I wondered whether those could be published so that Members of the Senedd could also have a copy of those updates, so that we can hold the Welsh Government to account for that delivery.

Secondly, can I call for a statement—an urgent statement—from the Minister for Climate Change on red squirrel conservation? I received a notification last week from Natural Resources Wales that they're planning to clear-fell 6,500 tonnes of timber from Pentraeth forest, which, of course, is a red squirrel stronghold, and one of the few red squirrel strongholds in Wales. The problem with this is that they're planning to clear-fell between October and March 2021. The peak of the breeding season is February and March for red squirrels. At that time, the young will be in their nests, and because of the population density in that area, it is likely that many will be killed. Clearly, that's not a good thing; it does need to be looked at, and I would appreciate very much if the Minister for Climate Change could take this up directly with Natural Resources Wales to discuss what may be done in order to mitigate that particular issue. Thank you. 

Thank you. In regard to your second question around the tree felling on the red squirrel population in Gwynedd and Anglesey, I know NRW did consult stakeholders back, it's probably around 10 years ago now when they drew up the current forest development plan. So, they are in the process, obviously, of replacing that plan with a new forest resource plan, which is what you're referring to. So, again, there will be a detailed consultation carried out with stakeholders ahead of any final decisions, and that will of course include red squirrel groups. 

In relation to your first question around the publication of the monthly performance data, I will ask the Minister for social services to consider your request.FootnoteLink

Information further to Plenary

As we approach COP26, I'd like a statement about what the Government will do to address the climate anxiety being felt by increasing numbers of young people. I led a debate on this issue in June, Trefnydd, and I'm desperately keen for us to see progress. A University of Bath study found that 56 per cent of young people believe humanity is doomed because of climate change. This feeling of anxiety is endemic and it's escalating. And I've spoken to the youth climate ambassadors about this issue too. What young people want and need is to feel empowered, to be listened to, to know that they're not alone in feeling scared or worried, and to know what is being done to help combat the crisis, what we can all do to play our part. 

Trefnydd, striking the right balance is key in terms of not downplaying the severity of climate change, but reframing it in the curriculum, in the guidance given to teachers, so that the focus is on the brilliant and resilient community projects taking place, preventative action, and the agency we all have. I know that this was raised earlier in First Minister's questions, Trefnydd, but young people don't want to be told that their fears are unfounded because they're not. They have every right to be angry as well about the state that the world is in as we hand it to them, but we need to work with young people not just on their behalf. 

So, will the Government please make a statement as early as possible setting out how you will work with all of us who want to see climate anxiety and its causes addressed, and a stronger voice given to young people in helping us determine how we tackle humanity's greatest challenge together?

Thank you. Well, you will have heard the First Minister say, in answer to the question he was asked, about the work that we will be doing once again with children and young people as part of our climate change week, which is obviously going to be held in November. Certainly, the previous two years when we held our first conference, which I think was just one day when we held it in 2019, and then we held a week last year in 2020, children and young people were absolutely a vital part of that week, and we certainly encourage them to participate as well. So, I don't think we ever say that their concerns are unfounded, and you're absolutely right; it's a matter for each and every one us, not just in this Chamber, but outside, across the whole of Wales, to make sure that the decisions we take about the way we lead our lives help to mitigate climate change. 

Firstly, I'm sure the Welsh Government finds the use of fire and rehire by companies as abhorrent as I do. Whilst the Welsh Government cannot outlaw it as employment law is not devolved, I'm asking for a Government statement on how companies who carry out this practice can be excluded from Welsh Government contracts, or from contracts with Welsh Government funded bodies, and also, how they can be excluded from grant funding directly or indirectly from the Welsh Government. 

The second statement I'm asking for is relating to the continuation of home and hub working. I believe this is the way forward—bringing people to an office between nine and five was important in the nineteenth century, and even the early part of the twentieth century, but with data readily available online, the reason for a large amount of office work has disappeared. It would also actually reduce the amount of traffic on the road, removing any need for bypasses, and it would help the environment. 

Thank you. In relation to fire and rehire, we're very concerned by the practice of imposing new terms and conditions on workers through the tactic of fire and rehire, and we're very clear that that sort of practice is absolutely not consistent with our values of fair work and social partnership. We encourage all employers to resolve difficult and challenging issues through social partnership, but, of course, as you say, it is a matter for the UK Government—they do have reserved powers to end the irresponsible use of fire and rehire practices, and we've certainly called upon the UK Government to act in this respect. Certainly, we would expect firms who benefit from public investment to act in a spirit of social partnership, and that absolutely should focus on the well-being of their workers and the wider public interest. Mike Hedges will be aware of the steps that we're taking to strengthen our approach, through the Social Partnership and Public Procurement (Wales) Bill, which, when it's introduced, and if it's passed, will then introduce new duties in relation to social partnership.

In relation to continuation of working from home and hub working, Welsh Government advice is you should work from home wherever possible. As we know, that does make a big difference to preventing the spread of COVID-19. And I think what we've seen is old ways of working will not probably—well, I think they're very unlikely to return in exactly the same way, and we've certainly seen many businesses and employees stating a desire for a new pattern of work, which allows people to work in the workplace, at home, near home, or even in a local work hub. So this, I think, is something that—. That type of flexible working from businesses and from employers I think also strengthens local communities as well and the local economy, and I think it is certainly something that we will see continuing.

I refer Members to my entry in the register of interests. Firstly, I would like to thank the Minister for Climate Change for taking the time to answer my written questions on carbon offsetting and the net Welsh emissions account—the NWEA. And I'm sure the Trefnydd will share my alarm regarding the fact that international businesses are offsetting their own carbon emissions at the expense of traditional Welsh farmland—she and I have already briefly discussed this. Indeed, I'm sure the Trefnydd and her ministerial colleague, the Minister for Climate Change, are well aware that the offloading of Welsh carbon credits to businesses outside of Wales does nothing to reduce Wales's own carbon footprint; also, the sale of carbon in this way risks undermining the ability of Welsh farms, Welsh agriculture, or Wales as a whole to become carbon neutral. Therefore, will the Minister make an urgent statement on what steps the Government is taking to protect traditional Welsh farmland from being bought up by foreign businesses? And what safeguards exist to ensure that Welsh carbon credits, bought for the purpose of offsetting emissions from outside of Wales, are not double counted and used to offset Wales's own emissions? Diolch.

Thank you. It is about a balance, isn't it? And I've said on the floor of the Chamber before, we cannot tell farmers who to sell their land to, and it is something that obviously concerns us. I think the issue you raise—I just had a discussion, actually, with Llyr Huws Gruffydd on the way into the Chamber around this, and making sure that we avoid double counting. It's certainly something that we can look at as part of the sustainable farming scheme.

Could I ask for a debate, rather than a statement, on the availability of free banking for charities and community groups? Unfortunately, HSBC is the latest of the banks to take the money and run, and they'll be introducing charges for the Women's Institute, local scouts and girl guides groups, local sports clubs, and others, from the end of this month. It's a really important thing for some groups, who have had such a hard time coming through the pandemic, now to find that they're going to be facing charges. So, we need to signal to them how we can still continue to provide free banking services for them.

Could we also have a statement in response to many constituents who have written to me on the state of our rivers? And I declare an interest as the Senedd's salmon champion for the next five years. But they've written to me particularly on the issue of the Wye river, and what they see as the real dangers here that we are stripping life out of that river for invertebrates, for fish, and for other wildlife, and for that amazing habitat that it provides. And they draw a particular reference, I have to say, to the phosphate production now from Powys being, frankly, Europe's largest producer of free-range eggs within the whole of Europe. It's adding the equivalent of 2,000 tonnes now of phosphates across the whole water catchment area in the Wye, and it's of course affecting every constituency down. It's not the only pollutant, by the way, in that area, but it does of course have a major impact.

And could we finally have a statement on the charging of electric vehicles where there is no kerbside parking, no community hub charging, and no off-kerb parking in your own driveway? I've got people who live in terrace houses who are now asking is it legal to run a cable across the pavement. Some local authorities actually have a blanket 'no' to this; others have no policy whatsoever. It would be great to have a statement to give clarity. Thank you, Llywydd.

Thank you, Huw Irranca-Davies. So, in relation to free banking for charities and community groups, I think it's safe to say we've certainly seen a number of voluntary organisations, right across Wales, experience difficulties with regard to banking services. That's in terms of identifying an account that is free, as well as being open, in the first place, because, of course, we've seen a significant number of banks close, along with the free ATM machines as well. You'll be aware of the work that the Minister for Social Justice has done with Third Sector Support Wales, and I know she's about to appoint the Wales Council for Voluntary Action to establish a community loan fund—community asset loan fund, sorry—which I'm sure will help in that way. 

Your second question around the River Wye—and you'll be aware of our programme for government commitment to begin the designation of inland waters for recreation, for instance. And what we really want to do is improve river pollution management in a way that we've done with our beaches and with our sea water. So, this is a significant piece of work, and, as you say, there are a diverse range of sources that are polluting our rivers, and NRW is working with Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water, at the moment, to look at modelling to apportion sources to pollutant levels on a sub-catchment level. I'm obviously very aware of the concerns around poultry farms, and it's a discussion I've had around planning issues with the Minister for Climate Change, who has responsibility for planning, to see if we need to look at the threshold for these poultry farms, and that's an ongoing piece of work.

In relation to your question around electric vehicles, obviously highway authorities and local authorities do have the ability to adopt their own positions, and, as you say, there is perhaps a range of views across Wales, as to how we do that. I know there are some trials under way in England, at the moment, and I think we will watch those very closely, but, I think, it is a matter for local authorities and highway authorities to adopt their own positions in the way that you referred to—looking at highway safety—because obviously the local area and population is for them to ascertain what's best. 

Minister, may I ask for a statement from the Minister for health on the availability of electroretinography services for eye patients here in Wales? Wales is the only country in the UK that does not have access to this service for eye patients, and I'm advised that the only centre in Wales, which was based in Cardiff, closed 18 months ago. I asked the Minister about this in a written question, and the reply said, 'A task and finish group has been formed to review the Welsh Government's approach to this' and the group's recommendations would result in appropriate action. Given that time is of the essence now in preventing sight loss, please could we have a statement on the timescales involved, and when we may expect the task and finish group to report back? Thank you. 

Well, I'm unaware as to when the task and finish group will report, but I'm sure, when it does to the Minister for Health and Social Services, she will update us. 

In the Equality and Social Justice Committee on Monday 20 September, the Minister for Social Justice was asked about the work being done to prepare for a basic income pilot. On more than one occasion, she was ambling to be more specific around some of the matters under consideration, giving the reason that she is due to give a statement in Plenary. Having listened to the business statement, there is nothing scheduled, meaning that the earliest chance of this happening would be Tuesday 9 November, some seven weeks since the committee meeting. The promise of a statement should not be used as an excuse for a Minister to avoid answering questions, when Standing Order 16 states that part of the role of a committee is to examine matters of Government policy. Otherwise, the promise of a statement, however far into the future, could become the standard defence for not providing detail in committee where scrutiny takes place. Can the Minister confirm that a statement will be made here, please? Thank you. 

If the Minister for Social Justice has promised to publish a statement, either an oral one or a written one, I can assure the Member it will be absolutely included in our Government business. 

I thank the Trefnydd for that item.