Welsh Labour

Speeches and questions

Speeches and questions in Plenary and in committees, newest first. The Llywydd's and deputies' chairing of Plenary is left out.

3,039 speeches and questions

29 March 2022Plenary
Legislative Consent Motion on the Building Safety Bill
Members are being put in an appalling position this afternoon by the Government, and the Deputy Minister recognised that, I think, in the tone that he used and the words that he used in order to introduce this debate, because whenever we are asked to debate…
23 March 2022Plenary
Member Debate under Standing Order 11.21(iv): Religious buildings
It's a real privilege to join this debate and to follow such strong and powerful contributions to this, a Parliament, which in itself forms a part of a continuum of our history. We talk about our chapels and our churches, but we can also talk about our…
23 March 2022Plenary
Topical Questions
The generosity of spirit demonstrated by people in Wales, across the United Kingdom and across our European continent contrasts quite disappointedly with the mean-spirited approach from the United Kingdom Government. Minister, what impact will the Nationality…
23 March 2022Local Government and Housing Committee
Inquiry into second homes: evidence session 9—Minister for Education and the Welsh Language
I'm pleased to hear you say that. What's the policy response to that failure? That's what we're discussing. That's an important movement, I think. I'm very pleased to hear that, and I do believe that we as a committee should consider policy interventions on…
23 March 2022Local Government and Housing Committee
Inquiry into second homes: evidence session 9—Minister for Education and the Welsh Language
So, the Welsh Government believes that the housing market is currently failing or that it's not working in different areas of the country. This is an important statement. It's very important, and I'm pleased to hear you say that so very clearly, Minister. I…
23 March 2022Local Government and Housing Committee
Inquiry into second homes: evidence session 9—Minister for Education and the Welsh Language
I understand that, but it's about controlling the market.
23 March 2022Local Government and Housing Committee
Inquiry into second homes: evidence session 9—Minister for Education and the Welsh Language
I agree with the point that Mabon has been making, because what you're suggesting here as part of the plan—you're mentioning these cultural ambassadors, for example, and the estate agent steering groups—they're nice to haves, but are they really going to the…
23 March 2022Local Government and Housing Committee
Inquiry into second homes: evidence session 9—Minister for Education and the Welsh Language
Okay. That's fair.
23 March 2022Local Government and Housing Committee
Inquiry into second homes: evidence session 9—Minister for Education and the Welsh Language
Yes, I see that and, to some extent, I quite like the idea of the Welsh Government or the Senedd creating different powers for local councils to use and to implement. I like the idea. But I'm wondering whether that, from time to time, is a way for the Welsh…
23 March 2022Local Government and Housing Committee
Inquiry into second homes: evidence session 9—Minister for Education and the Welsh Language
No, but do more. I'm not suggesting that, but whether the Welsh Government should be doing more to support Gwynedd Council, for example. Because I see that the Welsh Government is a stronger governmental body than a county council, and the Welsh Government…
23 March 2022Local Government and Housing Committee
Inquiry into second homes: evidence session 9—Minister for Education and the Welsh Language
The debate that we had in the Senedd yesterday about the premium on council tax. I completely agreed with it, and think that that's an important policy statement, but it's more difficult, to some extent, for Gwynedd Council or Ceredigion council to implement…
23 March 2022Local Government and Housing Committee
Inquiry into second homes: evidence session 9—Minister for Education and the Welsh Language
I would like to know how you're developing policy. Julie, more than you, has responded to the Simon Brooks paper, but how do you develop a national policy framework that will include Blaenau Gwent and the Llŷn peninsula, but also include that flexibility to…
23 March 2022Local Government and Housing Committee
Inquiry into second homes: evidence session 9—Minister for Education and the Welsh Language
Why?
23 March 2022Local Government and Housing Committee
Inquiry into second homes: evidence session 9—Minister for Education and the Welsh Language
But, surely, the time to set a target is when you're starting a policy process, so that you know what you're going to do. So, you're talking about the way that you're going to intervene—. And I agree with what you intend to do, by the way, but what concerns…
23 March 2022Local Government and Housing Committee
Inquiry into second homes: evidence session 9—Minister for Education and the Welsh Language
Okay. So, there aren't specific objectives and targets that have been set.
23 March 2022Local Government and Housing Committee
Inquiry into second homes: evidence session 9—Minister for Education and the Welsh Language
So, how do you know that you've succeeded?
23 March 2022Local Government and Housing Committee
Inquiry into second homes: evidence session 9—Minister for Education and the Welsh Language
Yes, yes, but what are your objectives?
23 March 2022Local Government and Housing Committee
Inquiry into second homes: evidence session 9—Minister for Education and the Welsh Language
I understand that, but what are your objectives?
23 March 2022Local Government and Housing Committee
Inquiry into second homes: evidence session 9—Minister for Education and the Welsh Language
Thank you very much, John. I just wanted to understand, Minister, what your objectives are for this community plan—because I'm reading the English here, so it's the 'Welsh Language Communities Housing Plan'. So, this is a plan for housing for Welsh-speaking…
23 March 2022Local Government and Housing Committee
Papers to note
It was on the ombudsman's report. This is the latest in a series of reports we've had from Nick Bennett, all of which have illuminated some really important matters in the delivery of services. Nick is retiring as the ombudsman next week. I think it'd be a…
23 March 2022Local Government and Housing Committee
Papers to note
Yes, as long as we don't breach the principle of—.
23 March 2022Local Government and Housing Committee
Papers to note
But, you know, it's a matter for local government to determine its priorities, not a matter for this place to determine those priorities for local government.
23 March 2022Local Government and Housing Committee
Papers to note
I know. Because it's raised, doesn't mean we need to respond to it.
23 March 2022Local Government and Housing Committee
Papers to note
I'm concerned that we maintain the principle that we don't tell local government how to spend its money, and it's a matter for local government to determine its own budget; it's not a matter for this place. But you know—
22 March 2022Plenary
Statement by the Minister for Economy: Progressing the Economic Resilience and Reconstruction Mission
I'm grateful, Deputy Presiding Officer. I'm grateful to the Minister as well for his statement and I've been enjoying the discussion that's taking place here, but I find that the discussion is all about what Government is doing, and nobody has asked, 'Why is…