2. Business Statement and Announcement

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 2:38 pm on 12 October 2021.

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Photo of Lesley Griffiths Lesley Griffiths Labour 2:38, 12 October 2021

Thank you. And as you say, the written statement was issued yesterday, giving us an update on coal tip safety by the Minister for Climate Change. There's a huge amount of work that's gone into this piece of work—partnership working between the Coal Authority, UK Government, local authorities and Welsh Government. And as you say, there have been further coal tips highlighted as having high risk. Local authorities have the data as to where these are, obviously, sited. As you say, it does cause concern. I think it's really important not to cause even more concern to people. You'll be aware the Welsh Government brought forward a helpline—it was obviously in my portfolio in the previous term. The discussions around funding are really important, because this is significant funding. And clearly, it predates devolution—it predates 1999—so therefore, the UK Government really need to up their game in this area and ensure that we have the funding that is absolutely needed to make these coal tips safe.