2. Business Statement and Announcement

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 2:41 pm on 6 December 2022.

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Photo of Ken Skates Ken Skates Labour 2:41, 6 December 2022

Trefnydd, could I ask for an urgent statement from the Minister for health regarding the situation concerning group A streptococcus, particularly in schools? The situation is very serious indeed and there are reports in the media now that antibiotics could be used as a preventative measure to protect children from more serious conditions, including scarlet fever and invasive group A streptococcus. Public Health Wales state that, in most cases, strep A causes scarlet fever. Scarlet fever is highly contagious, and parents are therefore advised to seek guidance from their GPs. There is a real risk that GPs could be overwhelmed at a very busy time of the year as it is. So, a statement, an urgent statement, from the Minister of health would be very welcome.

Can I also ask for a statement on the status of the advanced technology research centre? This is a project that Welsh Government has been working on for some five years. It would be the sibling facility for the advanced manufacturing research centre, which has been an incredible success. I understand the UK Government has allocated £10 million in capital towards the cost of establishing the ATRC. I'd be very grateful if we could have a statement on the status of that project and confirmation, if possible, in the budget next week that funding will be made available for it to be created in the next financial year. Diolch.