2. Business Statement and Announcement

– in the Senedd at 2:35 pm on 15 November 2022.

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Photo of Elin Jones Elin Jones Plaid Cymru 2:35, 15 November 2022

(Translated)

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

Photo of Lesley Griffiths Lesley Griffiths Labour

Diolch, Llywydd. There is one change to this week's business. The Business Committee has agreed to postpone tomorrow's debate on the Senedd Commission budget until next week. 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.

Photo of Darren Millar Darren Millar Conservative 2:36, 15 November 2022

Thank you, Trefnydd, for your statement. Can I ask for a written statement from the Deputy Minister for Social Partnership in relation to the action being taken by the Welsh Government to promote participation in the UK-wide veterans survey, which is currently ongoing? It's the first-ever survey of its kind, and we know how important it is to get as much data as possible about the veteran community in Wales, and, indeed, the families of veteran communities, so that we can best plan our efforts to support them in the future. I know that the UK Government is running this survey for the next 12 weeks, and I think it would be good if the Welsh Government could use all of its various social media channels, and any other efforts that it can make, with members of the expert group, for example, just in order to spread awareness around Wales, so that we can get as many people as possible taking part.

Photo of Lesley Griffiths Lesley Griffiths Labour

Thank you. The Member raises a very important point. I know the Deputy Minister for Social Partnership is very keen for our veterans and their families to be aware of the survey, and will be happy to do that and bring forward a written statement.

Photo of Delyth Jewell Delyth Jewell Plaid Cymru 2:37, 15 November 2022

Trefnydd, greater horseshoe bats are amongst the rarest in the whole of the UK, and they're protected under legislation, including the Environment Act 2021. The Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 also places a duty on the Welsh Government to maintain and enhance a biodiverse natural environment. I know that the Welsh Government can't comment on planning issues, but the reason I'm asking for a statement on this is that, in my region, there is an application to build flats on Ruperra Castle estate, where greater horseshoe bats nest. This is a cause of great concern locally. I've already raised the issue with the Minister; I was grateful for her reply. She's explained that a decision on whether to call in the application will be made in due course. So, what I wanted to receive, please, was a statement of general assurance that the Welsh Government is absolutely committed to its conservational responsibilities, to give organisations like the Valleys Bat Group and the Ruperra Conservation Trust the confidence that their concerns for the welfare of this extremely rare species are shared across the Government. Diolch.

Photo of Lesley Griffiths Lesley Griffiths Labour 2:38, 15 November 2022

Obviously, the Government is absolutely committed to the conservation values that you refer to. I think you've done absolutely the right thing in writing to the Minister, and you say you've had her helpful response.

Photo of Mike Hedges Mike Hedges Labour

I would like to ask for two statements. The first one is on the number of organisations who provide only online help and online services, thus excluding those who do not have access to an online facility or cannot use online facilities. I would like to ask for a statement from the Government on how they're ensuring that those who cannot or do not want to use online facilities can actually access services via the telephone.

The second statement that I'm asking for—and I did hear what the First Minister said earlier—is on what progress the Welsh Government have made in ending standing energy charges for days when no energy is used. There are many people who do not use energy for days, but when they do use energy, the standing charges for the days when no energy was used is still charged. This is hurting the poorest people in society, who are paying for energy they have not used. I had an elderly lady tell me that she paid £2.50 to heat a cup of tomato soup because she used up five days' worth of standing charges.

Photo of Lesley Griffiths Lesley Griffiths Labour 2:39, 15 November 2022

Thank you. Digital now plays a significant role in our society, from allowing people to engage with health and public services, for instance, or reducing feelings of loneliness and isolation by maintaining contact with their friends and families, or, of course, continuing to work and access learning. But of course, there are people who choose not to participate, or see no need to, and, of course, there are those who can't afford the costs that are associated with being online. I think we know, during and since the pandemic, that many services have now moved to digital channels, so it is absolutely critical to those developing these services that they're aware and consider the implications for people who are digitally excluded, from an equalities aspect, as well, of course, as the impact on the economic recovery. You'll be aware of our programme for government commitment, our digital strategy for Wales, and that absolutely makes clear our aim to equip people with the motivation, access, skills and confidence to engage with an increasingly digital world based on their needs. As a Government, our role really is to engage with and continue to raise awareness of the need for service providers, be they public, private or third sector, to ensure that people are able to access services in a way that meets their needs. 

You mentioned that the First Minister himself mentioned that he'd raised the issue of standing energy charges with the Prime Minister at last week's British-Irish Council. We know we need a major investment in the grid to develop it into a net-zero energy system that's resilient to help us as well. Obviously, the system we have at the moment places the greatest burden on those who can least afford it. That has to change. The standing charge is an element of the pricing system that really does not take into account the ability of an individual person to pay. As we both just said, the First Minister raised it with the Prime Minister, but I know as a Government we continue to raise this in discussions that we have with Ofgem. But it really needs a fundamental change going forward for certain energy users—rather than concessions for certain energy users, to have this done at the expense of others.

Photo of Samuel Kurtz Samuel Kurtz Conservative 2:41, 15 November 2022

Can I please ask for a statement from yourself as rural affairs Minister and the Minister for Climate Change on the eye-watering increases to the Natural Resources Wales regulatory fees and charges? As per the NRW consultation on permits and licences, the increases will be set out across several charging regimes from April 2023 and include a tenfold increase in the cost of new applications for land spreading of spent or unused sheep dip at a cost of £3,728. At a time when we're seeing costs soar across the board, this large increase could have a detrimental impact on the fight against sheep scab and needs to be addressed. Diolch.

Photo of Lesley Griffiths Lesley Griffiths Labour 2:42, 15 November 2022

It wouldn't be me; it would be the Minister for Climate Change, as she has responsibility for NRW. I know she's been having discussions with NRW around this, but I don't see that that would be for an oral statement. If there is any further information that the Minister feels she needs to share with us, I will ask her to do a written statement.

Photo of Joyce Watson Joyce Watson Labour 2:43, 15 November 2022

Trefnydd, can I ask for an urgent Welsh Government statement on police standards in Wales? We learnt last week that Wiltshire Police is leading an investigation into alleged misogyny, corruption and racism in Gwent Police. That comes on the back of the police watchdog's damning report on failings in the vetting process that allowed criminals and sexual predators to join the services in England and Wales. My constituents will have serious and, in my view, justified concerns about the propriety of the police investigating the police on these matters, and about their own safety, quite frankly. I appreciate that much of this is not devolved, but the consequences are devolved. I think we need a ministerial statement to shed light on these matters that both reassures the public and supports the vast majority of our police staff and officers who serve honestly and honourably.

Photo of Lesley Griffiths Lesley Griffiths Labour 2:44, 15 November 2022

Thank you. The allegations in the report are extremely worrying. I know the Minister for Social Justice was very pleased that the force was very clear about this. Obviously, as a Government, we stand against corruption, misogyny, racism and homophobia in all of their forms. You mention that policing is obviously a reserved matter for the UK Government, but, of course, as a Government, we work very closely with policing partners here in Wales. I know the Minister for Social Justice met yesterday with the PCC, Jeff Cuthbert, and the chief constable, Pam Kelly, to understand more about their response to these allegations and to emphasise the seriousness with which, as a Government, we view these allegations also. Chief constable Kelly did confirm that they are already working at pace to address the issues raised. It is vital for the force to take decisive action and, obviously, we're all aware of the independent investigation by Wiltshire Police that is under way. The force has made it very clear that firm action will be taken against anyone who's breached either professional standards or the criminal threshold, and I know that Gwent Police are working proactively to encourage both staff and victims to come forward with their experiences. 

Photo of Sam Rowlands Sam Rowlands Conservative 2:45, 15 November 2022

Good afternoon, Trefnydd. I'd like to ask for a Welsh Government statement outlining the full economic costings of the introduction of the default 20 mph speed limit in Wales. Trefnydd, as you may be aware, last week councillors up and down Wales were sent a letter from Government regarding this scheme, and I quote from the letter:

'It's also estimated this will save Wales around £100 million in the first year alone, three times more than it would cost to introduce this scheme'.

So, the letter is seeking to highlight a £100 million saving to the public purse, which, I think it's fair to say, has failed to painting the full financial picture when communicating that with councillors because, indeed, the memorandum on the order states that, overall, an indicative central estimate on the monetised net present value of the policy is calculated to be a negative £4.54 billion—a saving of £100 million to the public purse, perhaps, but a cost of £4,500 million to the economy. So, in light of this, Minister, I would like the Welsh Government to make a statement on all of the costings relating to the introduction of the 20 mph default speed limits that reflects the savings, of course, but also the costs in particular to our economy, and allows our taxpayers to fully understand the costings of this proposal? 

Photo of Lesley Griffiths Lesley Griffiths Labour 2:46, 15 November 2022

I will ask the Deputy Minister for Climate Change to come forward with a written statement on that issue. 

Photo of Altaf Hussain Altaf Hussain Conservative 2:47, 15 November 2022

Minister, delivering high-quality cancer care is vital to those people whose diagnosis would have been lost during the pandemic, and for those now waiting to start treatment. Last month, the health Minister attended a cancer summit with local health boards across Wales to tackle waiting times and address capacity problems within the Welsh NHS. It is vital that the health Minister provides an overview of the outcomes of the summit and the measures she plans to take to address these issues. Will the business Minister issue an oral statement before the recess to ensure that Members are updated on this and on the NHS cancer service action plan? Thank you. 

Photo of Lesley Griffiths Lesley Griffiths Labour

Thank you. I am aware the Minister for Health and Social Services led a summit of cancer service providers and leaders last month to make sure that we're doing everything that we can to recover cancer services from the impact of the pandemic. I know she continues to work with health boards to address the matter. 

(Translated)

The Deputy Presiding Officer (David Rees) took the Chair.

Photo of David Rees David Rees Labour 2:48, 15 November 2022

(Translated)

I thank the Trefnydd.