2. Business Statement and Announcement

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 2:23 pm on 21 June 2022.

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Photo of Natasha Asghar Natasha Asghar Conservative 2:23, 21 June 2022

Minister, could I please request two statements? The first is from the Minister for health on increasing the availability of GP appointments in Wales. I know my colleague Sam Kurtz touched upon this earlier, but one of the biggest concerns of people in my region is the difficulty and frustration they face in making appointments to see their GP. In a move designed to ease pressure on GPs and to leave them with more time to see the most sick patients and those with complex issues, the health Secretary, Sajid Javid, has announced that the law will be changed so that patients will no longer need to see their family doctor to be signed off work. Pharmacists, nurses, occupational therapists and physiotherapists will be given powers to issue fit notes under reforms that will free up many more GP appointments and help alleviate the pressure that GPs currently face. The move has been welcomed by patient groups and the Royal College of General Practitioners, as it will allow more patients in south-east Wales to access more GP appointments. So, may I ask for a statement from the Minister for health on how this will change how we work here in Wales, for the benefit of GPs and patients alike?

The second part, Minister, is that I'd like to request a statement from the Minister for Climate Change about the proposed deposit-return scheme. Several businesses from across my region of south-east Wales and further afield have been in touch raising their concerns about the scheme. All of the businesses that I have spoken to are conscious of their environmental responsibilities; however, they fear that they will be hit with significant trading barriers because the Welsh Government intends to include glass in the scheme and pursue a digital DRS. One brewery told me that the scheme will impose significant costs on businesses, because including glass will require multiple labels and, consequently, businesses will struggle to cover the annual registration costs, producer fees, as well as labelling requirements. They also fear only big global brands will be able to adapt to the new rules more easily than smaller independent businesses, and that many companies will simply choose not to sell their products here in Wales. So, I'd be grateful, Minister, if you could please make a statement about what the Welsh Government is doing to address the legitimate concerns of businesses across Wales. Thank you.