Item 2, then.

Back on again.

The Trefnydd back to make the business statement and announcement. Lesley Griffiths.

Thank you. There are three changes to today's Plenary agenda. I have added a statement from the finance and local government Minister on the response to the UK Government financial statement. Consequently, the statement on world heritage in north-west Wales has been postponed until next week. And finally, the legislative statement on the Agriculture (Wales) Bill has been moved to the last item of today's business. Draft business for the next three weeks is set out on the business statement and announcement, which can be found amongst the meeting papers available to Members electronically.

Minister, Swansea Council together with the Welsh Government are planning to strengthen the sea defences at Mumbles. This is a welcome investment, and I understand that most of the cost will be provided through the coastal risk management programme. These schemes, whilst they react to the threat of global warming and rising sea levels, should give confidence to communities and businesses about the viability of those areas at risk. Can the Minister schedule a debate on the impact of the cost of the risk management programme, for all Members to consider the scope, funding and impact of the scheme? Thank you.

Thank you. The Welsh Government has put a significant funding into coastal defences and flood defences in general right across the country, and you're quite right: it is really important that our communities, our homes in Wales and our businesses feel protected from the effect of climate change, which we are absolutely living with now. I know the Minister does bring forward written statements at specific times in relation to flood defences, and I will certainly ask her to do so at the appropriate time.

Trefnydd, I'm sure you've seen—like all of us—the impact of the devastating floods in Pakistan that have killed over 1,500 people since June, with 33 million people affected. Whole communities have been swept away and people remain in desperate need of help. This is the reality of the climate emergency. Given our commitments under the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 to be a globally responsible nation, and also given the close links between Pakistan and many people living in Wales, I would like to request a statement, please, from the Minister for Social Justice to update us on how Welsh Government are supporting the people of Pakistan and also their relatives here in Wales.

I think you raise a really important point about the effect of climate change in countries right across the world, and this is why we are so adamant here in Wales that we need that just transition. The Minister for Social Justice will be happy to bring forward a statement on that.

I'm asking for two Government statements. Will the Government make a statement on Welsh Government policy on the outsourcing and privatisation of the Welsh Government-funded public sector in Wales? Can the statement include what arm's-length bodies, funded by the Welsh Government, are told about outsourcing and privatisation in their annual ministerial letter?

Also, will the Government make a statement about promoting the use of British Sign Language by Welsh Government-funded public sector bodies? The British Sign Language Act 2022, passed by the UK Parliament, creates a duty for the UK Government to prepare and publish BSL reports describing what UK Government departments have done to promote the use of BSL in their communication with the public. The UK Act excludes reporting on matters devolved to Scotland and Wales—quite rightly so. Will the Welsh Government either replicate it or use a legislative consent motion to bring it into Welsh law, so that people who are deaf in Wales are not disadvantaged?

Thank you. In relation to your question around privatisation and outsourcing, obviously, the private sector plays a crucial role in the Welsh economy and the delivery of some of our public services, but we are committed to providing those services in a way that puts people first and not profit first. The motivations for outsourcing or insourcing can be many and varied, and expertise and capacity are often the drivers for outsourcing, however, we are very clear that outsourcing should not be used to erode workers' pay or their terms and conditions. You'll be aware that the social partnership and public procurement Bill is being brought forward, and that will require certain public bodies to consider socially responsible clauses in all major construction and outsourcing contracts, and ensure that these are delivered throughout the supply chains.

In relation to promoting the use of British Sign Language, obviously, the new curriculum in Wales is now being used right across primary schools in Wales, and using British Sign Language is on the curriculum alongside English and other languages, and the guidance that's been brought forward to support progression in BSL for deaf BSL users as well as allowing schools to choose to introduce BSL to other learners as a second, third, or even subsequent language. I know the Minister is working very closely with the regional educational consortia and partnerships funded by the Welsh Government to support schools. We've commissioned new resources to support teaching and learning BSL in schools and settings in Wales, and the first will be available later this term for free on Hwb, the all-Wales learning platform.

Can I call for two statements, please? Firstly, from the Deputy Minister for Climate Change, as this past weekend saw complete disruption to rail services in south Pembrokeshire. The bus replacement service was, I'm told, unable to take wheelchair users or bikes, potentially leaving passengers stranded. Having worked with the South Pembrokeshire Rail Action Group to highlight the inconsistencies in rail travel on the Pembroke Dock line, I'd appreciate a statement as to what caused the disruption in south Pembrokeshire.

Secondly, a statement from the economy Minister in relation to the administration of COVID support grants for businesses, charities and organisations. Picton Castle Gardens in my constituency received confirmation that their third and final payment would be paid back in February of this year, yet, to date, this final payment has not been received by the charity, and the communication channels have gone cold. Therefore, I would appreciate a statement from the economy Minister on the administration of these grants, what payments are left outstanding and what issues have caused the delay in some payments. Diolch.

In relation to your second question, I think you'd be better off writing directly to the Minister for Economy, and then he can look into that specific case that you brought forward.

I will certainly ask the Deputy Minister for Climate Change to issue a written statement if he has any information that would be helpful in relation to the incident you referred to at the weekend.

I'd request a Government statement outlining the Welsh Government's tax-raising strategy, please. Last year, I asked the finance Minister whether the Government was in favour of gaining powers to introduce new income-tax bands, a power that Scotland has. I'd hope the Government would look into this, but, as far as I can tell, nothing has been said on it over the past year. Now, the fact that Scotland can do this means that they can keep the 45 per cent top rate, and the Scottish Government has also introduced a more progressive income tax system with a lower starter rate for low earners.

Trefnydd, the First Minister has described last week's mini budget as 'authentically shocking', and I'd agree, but I'd also like to know if the Welsh Government has neglected to demand powers that would have enabled Wales to set our own policy. But, most importantly, looking to the future, I'd like the statement to set out whether the Government will now pursue these powers to introduce new bands and how they would use them, please.

Thank you. I agree with the First Minister and you: I think that the mini budget was nothing short of a disgrace. It rewarded the rich and punished the poor. As you are aware, the Minister for Finance and Local Government will be making a statement this afternoon in relation to the financial statement that came from the UK Government last week.

In relation to your specific questions around income tax, obviously, each year the Welsh Government makes very careful decisions around income tax, and it will be the same this year. No reckless decisions will be made by the Minister for finance.

Can I ask for two statements, please, Trefnydd? One is in respect of the arrangements for groups travelling out of the country post Brexit, and arrangements for carnets to avoid costs being incurred for charities and other groups. She'll be very well aware, recently, of Prostate Cymru, a group of volunteer cyclists riding for charities going through Santander port, who were faced with €8,500 costs that they had to pay before they released their bikes from a van. They were travelling separately from the van. There are new arrangements in place now, a new bureaucracy in place, but many groups aren't aware of this. And I've been subsequently approached by musicians, modelling clubs and others who have been stung by the same costs, as well as individuals. So, anything we can do here, by way of a statement, to show both the arrangements, but also how we can raise awareness of it, would be very welcome.

And the second thing I would really like would be a written statement on an update on Maesteg rail frequency enhancements, please.

Thank you. In regard to your first point around the consequences that we were never told about in relation to leaving the European Union, I'm not sure which Minister would take that forward, but I will certainly make some inquiries to see if maybe some guidance could be issued from us, or whether it would be something we would have to urge the UK Government to do.

In relation to your question for a written statement on the Maesteg to Cardiff rail line, I think the Deputy Minister would be very happy to meet with you to discuss services in the first instance, and I know there are plans for delivering additional services on the Maesteg line. 

Minister, planning and other appeals were removed from the joint agency between the UK and Welsh Government and placed within the planning and environment directorate within the Welsh Government. We were told this would improve the service and deliver the changes that Wales needs. In the 11 months since the change, the average delay in even opening the appeals application has increased from just a handful of weeks to 20 weeks—what it is currently. So, can we have a written statement or an update from the Minister for Climate Change on what steps she is taking to decrease the ever-increasing waiting times, and if any fundamental changes will be made to that department to increase performance?

I think it's probably too early to bring forward a statement on that. I know one of the issues, and certainly within my own constituency—it's something that's been raised with me—is the lack of planning officers within our local authorities right across Wales. I think this is something that, obviously, the Minister is aware of and discusses with local government colleagues.

Trefnydd, I'd be very grateful for a statement regarding the economy. It's pretty clear now that the UK Government, and the Chancellor in particular, has lost control of the UK's economy, with terrible consequences in store for us all. Could we have a statement, please, from the economy Minister specifically concerning businesses and the likely consequences for Welsh businesses of a plummeting pound, soaring interest rates and also rocketing inflation?

Again, I absolutely agree with you. I think to borrow to give the rich tax cuts is not a policy that most people would think was very sensible, and clearly there are many concerns that you can see right across the markets, and the international markets too just really have lost confidence and trust in the UK Government. I will certainly ask the Minister for Economy to bring forward a statement at the appropriate time. The announcement about investment zones, for instance, as far as I know, the Minister for Economy had no knowledge of that—I feel another free ports coming along the track. But I think it's really important that we give the Minister for Economy time to have those discussions with the UK Government.

Following on from that, Minister, I was going to say: could I ask for a statement on the investment zones, or, rather, deregulation zones? Cheshire West and Chester Council have been named as possibly one, which could impact on the Deeside area and the enterprise zone in Flintshire. I do also have concerns regarding planning deregulation and the impacts it could have on nature. Affordable housing as well might not happen, and that could further deepen the housing crisis here in Wales. So, I'm asking: could the Minister for Economy provide a statement outlining the Welsh Government's response to these investment or deregulation zones, to ensure we can maintain competitiveness without comprising on terms and conditions of pay, affordable housing and the natural environment, which we must protect in this climate and nature emergency? All those are concerns of mine. Thank you.

Thank you. So, you will have heard my answer to Ken Skates, and I think the Minister for Economy does need the time to engage with the UK Government. I think it's really important that any future proposals for Wales would need to be carefully researched. I know the Minister would want to consult upon those. And they really need to work in the best interests of the people of Wales.

That concludes the business statement.