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

There is one change to this week's business. The Non-Domestic Rating (Chargeable Amounts) (Wales) Regulations 2022 will be debated immediately after the debate on the draft budget statement. Draft business for the next three weeks of the spring term is set out in the business statement and announcement, which can be found amongst the meeting papers available to Members electronically. 

Minister, can I ask for a statement please from the Deputy Minister for Climate Change on further delays in completing the south Wales metro project? One of the main aims of the south Wales metro project is to encourage people off the roads and, naturally, to use public transport. In February 2021, the chief executive of Transport for Wales said the completion of the south Wales metro project would be delayed by months, not years, as a result of the pandemic, with the completion date remaining as 2023. In May this year, TfW said the cost of the metro project was likely to be significantly over its £734 million budget, with the overspend likely to run into tens of billions of pounds. Completion of the project will be put back now to 2024. Last month, further delays have been confirmed to upgrades, with the 'majority' of the work being finished in 2024, with no date for full completion of the project being given. One of the reasons given for this further delay was COVID, which TfW had earlier said would not cause any more delays beyond 2023. Can I please have a statement from the Deputy Minister to advise when the work on the south Wales metro will finally be completed and what is the latest estimate of the total cost of the Welsh Government's flagship project to get people off the roads and to finally use public transport? Thanks.

The Deputy Minister for Climate Change will be happy to do a written statement. 

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

I'd like to ask for a statement, please, relating to the support that's given to mothers and families who lose their babies before 24 weeks in Wales. At present, women who lose babies before that time don't receive a certificate of birth. Since July, in England, women who suffer miscarriage or ectopic or molar pregnancy before that date can receive a certificate, and many women have spoken publicly about how that can help with the grieving process. 

Certificates alone aren't enough, of course. As I've raised before, I'd like further support given to mothers and families in Wales, like maternity and compassionate leave for those who lose babies earlier in their little lives. But introducing this change relating to birth certificates would truly help so many women come to terms with the loss they've suffered, and help them record and commemorate the lives of their children. I'd welcome a statement on this, please. 

Thank you. I was reading a very interesting article on this issue yesterday. I know the Minister for Health and Social Services is aware, obviously, of what's happened in England, and is considering further action that might be necessary here in Wales. I'm sure she will do a statement when she's done that consideration.

Will the Welsh Government make a statement on the effect of Airbnb on the rental housing market? Whilst there are some controls—I would argue not enough—on the development of houses in multiple occupation, there are no controls on Airbnb. What analysis of the effect of Airbnb on the housing market has been made, and is the Government considering curbs on the number of Airbnbs in any area, similar to HMO controls?

Secondly, will the Government make a statement on the relationship between housing and health, something the Attlee Government was well aware of? We have known for several years that there is a large discrepancy in healthy life expectancy depending on individual wealth, based upon the area where people live. Is it any surprise that those who live in dry, warm homes, eat a balanced diet, and do not spend their days worrying about heating their homes and feeding their families live longer and healthier lives?

Absolutely, I agree with Mike Hedges. We obviously believe everyone should have access to a decent, affordable home. This is fundamental to people's mental and physical health, and of course their well-being as well. The Member will be aware that we're funding numerous programmes to increase access to those homes, including record funding for building low-carbon social houses for rent.

You'll be aware also that the First Minister and the leader of Plaid Cymru have previously confirmed their commitment, as part of the co-operation agreement, to introduce a statutory licence scheme for all visitor accommodation, and a consultation on proposals will be launched later this week. What that scheme will do is make it a requirement to obtain a licence to operate visitor accommodation. That includes short-term holiday lets, and will obviously help raise standards across the tourism industry and improve data supporting future planning decisions.

I'd like to ask for a Welsh Government statement on the announcement that Vivarail Ltd have gone bust. As you know, plans to increase rail services in the north Wales border area are now on hold, after the company, Vivarail Ltd, who were supplying these trains, went into administration. You'll recall that it was back in 2018 that Transport for Wales made the deal with Vivarail for refurbished trains to serve residents on the border, and this was supposed to be delivered in mid 2019. We're now three years down the line since that promise was made, and residents that I serve in Denbighshire, Flintshire and Wrexham still do not have that new rail service that they were promised. I'm sure you would agree, Trefnydd, that for your residents, as an MS in north Wales, it's not a good position to be in. As we know, Transport for Wales is wholly owned by the Welsh Government to deliver on the policies of this Government. I think it's time that a statement is brought to the Chamber explaining the situation and when those trains will be introduced into north Wales.

It is true that there have been a number of disappointing delays with bringing these new trains into service. They do include the need for Transport for Wales to rigorously ensure they're safe and they're reliable for passenger use, following some incidents during their testing. It's very unfortunate that Vivarail have entered administration, but that's obviously not the fault of Transport for Wales. They've invested significantly in the class 230 trains from Vivarail, and they have planned the additional services on the Wrexham to Bidston line on the use of these trains. I am aware that Transport for Wales are in liaison with the small number of other operators of Vivarail trains, and they're going to be discussing with them a longer term strategy on spares. I think one of the most significant challenges Transport for Wales have had, though, is the chaos caused by the UK Government's failure to resolve the industrial dispute with the rail unions. If Transport for Wales are unable to access the tracks, they can't test the trains or train their drivers on the new fleet. So, I really would urge the UK Government to step up and resolve these disputes now.

May I ask for an update, please, with regard to the independent review of floods, and, in particular, how Members will be able to submit evidence? Obviously, this is part of the co-operation agreement, and I know that work is ongoing, but there is an important element in terms of us as elected Members being able to submit evidence. Having clarity on that through a written or oral statement would be very beneficial. Thank you.

Thank you. I assume the process is still the same for Members to be able to give that evidence, but I will check with the Minister for Climate Change in relation to that.

May I ask for a statement regarding progress made over the last 12 months on delivery of the north Wales metro, and suggest that an annual statement would be very helpful for Members? I also ask for a statement regarding funding for bus services, given bus services are going to be so prominent in terms of delivery of the north Wales metro. Diolch. 

Thank you. As I've committed the Deputy Minister for Climate Change to publish a written statement on the south Wales metro, I think it's only fair that he does one on the north Wales metro as well. 

I call for a statement on sports participation for school-aged children in Wales, and particularly north Wales. One of the three north Wales-based junior parkruns is called Prestatyn Prom, and it's suffering from a low take-up of participants and is at risk of closing. Junior parkruns, which are run by volunteers, are free, fun and friendly weekly 2 km events for children aged 4 to 14, to jog, run or walk every Sunday morning. Parkrun Cymru is very keen to help promote and grow this event to be as successful as other junior parkruns across Wales. Parkrun has already been identified as a model that fits the Welsh Government's proposed social prescribing framework through participation and volunteering. The Sport Wales 2022 school sport survey stated that only 39 per cent of pupils took part in organised sport outside of the curriculum three or more times a week, but that 93 per cent of pupils in Wales had a demand to do more sport. It is therefore vital that we grow free, accessible and enjoyable activities for children, such as junior parkrun, and I call for a Welsh Government statement outlining how this could be achieved. Thank you. 

Thank you. I'm very aware of junior parkruns. I have one in my own constituency, which my daughter, who does parkrun, has commandeered me into volunteering on. I think it is a good way of getting young people active, and certainly the ones that I have seen in Wrexham have been very well supported. You will be aware that in our schools both the Minister for Education and Welsh Language and the Deputy Minister with responsibility for sport fund a significant variety of sports to encourage young people. Obviously, Parkrun, as you say, is an organisation that really is run by volunteers, and I'm not aware of anything in the pipeline to support them. 

Minister, I'd like to ask for a statement on support for veterans of atomic bomb testing, please, as 2022 marks the plutonium jubilee, 70 years since the first UK atomic bomb tests. Since then, scores of the people that participated in those tests—military veterans, scientists, indigenous peoples and their families—have suffered immeasurably. Not one of those people have been given the correct recognition for their sacrifices. Many of them were from Wales. LABRATS International are calling for a national apology, a medal to recognise the service and sacrifice of these veterans, financial support for veterans and families, an education programme on the tests and their impacts, and research for descendants. Some of these things are within the competence of this Senedd. So, will you work with LABRATS and other organisations to help achieve these aims? Can we have a statement from the Government on what steps you're taking to assist these people? Thank you. Diolch. 

Thank you. I am aware the Deputy Minister for Social Justice works very closely with veterans services right across Wales on a variety of issues around health and housing, for instance. I'm not aware of anything specific about the group of people that you refer to, but I will certainly ask if there is anything specific that can be done, and, if so, there will be a statement. 

Across Wales there are approximately 90 residential park home sites, which are home to over 3,000 households. Research undertaken in 2016 on behalf of the Welsh Government showed that there was evidence of fuel poverty on these sites. This situation will have no doubt worsened in the current cost-of-living crisis. The majority of park home residents are elderly and disproportionately likely to be less well-off. Park home owners are allowed to increase pitch fees on an annual basis by the rate of the consumer prices index, and, in light of the disastrous premiership of Liz Truss, which saw inflation rates roaring, it's currently at 11 per cent. An 11 per cent increase in pitch fees will push even more park home residents into poverty this winter. So, could I have a statement from the Minister for Climate Change regarding the Welsh Government's plans to protect park home residents from an 11 per cent increase in pitch fees, if that's possible? Thank you.

Thank you. We haven't been made aware or informed that park home occupiers have seen significant increases in pitch fees here in Wales, but obviously it's really important that we monitor the situation. Unlike in England, pitch fees here are based on the consumer price index and not the retail price index, so I think that is the significant difference. But, of course, we recognise the points that you raise around the cost of living and the inflationary increases—both the indices have increased. The regulations do identify there is a presumption, not an absolute requirement, that the pitch fee is to increase or decrease by a percentage that is no more than any percentage increase or decrease in the consumer price index.

Trefnydd, I'm asking for a ministerial statement from the Deputy Minister for sport on the proposals by the Liberal Democrat administration in Powys County Council to close leisure centres and pools across my constituency over Christmas and the new year, and potentially up to April and beyond, without any consultation with local residents. This will be devastating for people in my constituency and across Powys who rely on leisure centres to support their physical and mental health and also to keep our young children active. So, I'd welcome a statement from the Government outlining the benefits of leisure centres to our communities and what support the Welsh Government could give to keep them open, and also to remind local authorities about their obligations to consult with residents around any changes to leisure facilities in our communities.

Thank you. We recognise all our local authorities, just the same as Welsh Government, are under severe budgetary difficulties, but the issue you raise is a matter for Powys County Council.

Can we have a Government statement on the fire service please, Trefnydd? Like many who saw the ITN report on South Wales Fire and Rescue Service yesterday evening, I was horrified. There should not be any place for misogyny within the workplace, but this is especially the case with a public service like the fire brigade. I was extremely disappointed to discover that this behaviour has been found in the fire service and has not been dealt with. I am pleased that South Wales Fire and Rescue Service chief fire officer, Huw Jakeway, has announced a review into their culture, disciplinary processes and historic cases. I'm keen now to know, through a statement, what the Welsh Government makes of the situation and how they plan to act to support the processes to make the south Wales fire service a place that's a safe and welcoming place for women.

Thank you very much. Obviously, we strongly condemn behaviours like these. They have no place in the fire and rescue service, or anywhere else for that matter. It's really important that they are met with the absolute sternest possible sanctions from management. I was very pleased to see Huw Jakeway announce the independent inquiry. I am aware the Deputy Minister for Social Justice this morning met with the chair of South Wales Fire and Rescue Service.

And finally, Mark Isherwood.

Diolch. I call for a statement on support for people with eating disorders in Wales. Research has found that using menu labels to limit calories has been shown to be related to binge eating amongst women and to be associated with more weight-related concerns, dieting and unhealthy weight-control behaviours amongst both women and men. Beat, the UK's eating disorder charity, met with Lynne Neagle MS, the Deputy Minister for Mental Health and Well-being, last week to deliver an open letter signed by almost 700 people living in Wales who are urging the Welsh Government to reconsider introducing mandatory calorie labelling on menus. This follows a survey they conducted that asked those in Wales living with or affected by eating disorders to give their thoughts on the proposal, and 98 per cent of respondents felt that calorie labelling on menus would have a negative impact on those living with eating disorders. One said,

'I've already witnessed the fear she feels at the thought of being faced with calories on menus and slipping back into the grips of anorexia. This terrifies me too. The detrimental effect that this could have on people with eating disorders is huge.'

We therefore need to know if and how the Deputy Minister can justify implementing legislation that would cause harm to those suffering with eating disorders and risk isolating those who may already feel isolated from society even further. I call for a statement accordingly.

Thank you. I think it is about a balance. I am aware the Deputy Minister had the meeting to which the Member alluded and is currently considering a way forward.

I thank the Trefnydd.