28 February 2024 , Plenary
Debate on the Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport and International Relations Committee Report, 'International Relations: Annual Report 2022-23'
Okay. The international profile of Wales continues to rise. Our nation's success in sport and culture, our innovative approach to policy means that our demand for international engagement is high and increasing. And despite challenging budgets we will use the…
28 February 2024 , Plenary
Debate on the Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport and International Relations Committee Report, 'International Relations: Annual Report 2022-23'
I've got just a couple more points to make, Chair.
28 February 2024 , Plenary
Debate on the Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport and International Relations Committee Report, 'International Relations: Annual Report 2022-23'
Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. Can I say at the outset that I welcome the annual report and the committee's dedication to work alongside Government to support our international ambitions and to see Wales's profile grow on the world stage? It's been very good to hear…
7 February 2024 , Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Economy
I thank Tom Giffard for that question. He's absolutely right, of course; the Elvis festival is quite iconic now, isn't it, in Porthcawl. I absolutely hope that it remains as successful as it's always been, despite the fact that we're not going to have the…
7 February 2024 , Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Economy
Can I thank Huw Irranca-Davies for that supplementary question? He is absolutely right, of course. If you go anywhere across the south Wales Valleys you will find these institutions. I have some in my own constituency that hosted Keir Hardie and the…
7 February 2024 , Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Economy
I thank Huw Irranca-Davies for that question. Although I have not had any direct engagement with Bridgend County Borough Council, I visited Blaengarw Workmen's Hall in November and heard first-hand about the work being done to widen access to arts and culture…
7 February 2024 , Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Economy
Can I thank Adam Price for that question? And he's absolutely right, of course—hospitality is a key sector in our economy and for our communities, and it is struggling for all the reasons that he has outlined and Rhys ab Owen also outlined earlier on. The…
7 February 2024 , Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Economy
[Inaudible.]—be absolutely clear, what we are doing is we are putting in place a maximum level of support that is affordable, using all the consequential funding that came to Wales as a result of the multiplier announced by the UK Government's autumn…
7 February 2024 , Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Economy
Can I thank Rhys ab Owen for that supplementary question, which, I have to say, I think would be better directed to my colleague the Minister for finance, because she's responsible for financial measures and taxation? But can I sympathise absolutely with the…
7 February 2024 , Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Economy
Restaurants in Wales benefit from all the support services offered by Business Wales. They are eligible for non-domestic rates relief and will be supported in 2024-25 by a new £20 million capital fund to help hospitality, retail and leisure businesses…
31 January 2024 , Plenary
Welsh Conservatives Debate: Six Nations rugby broadcasting
So, if I can go back to where we are in terms of the six nations tournament being that showcase that Hefin David has just talked about in terms of the spread and the reach that it will have, by accessing the games on our tvs or our laptops or our tablets, it…
31 January 2024 , Plenary
Welsh Conservatives Debate: Six Nations rugby broadcasting
Well, I'm shocked by that, Hefin. I think that is appalling, and I would suggest that John Devereux joins that very exclusive misogynist commentator club with Joey Barton. I mean, seriously, what is wrong with men that they just can't accept that women are…
31 January 2024 , Plenary
Welsh Conservatives Debate: Six Nations rugby broadcasting
Fine, yes.
31 January 2024 , Plenary
Welsh Conservatives Debate: Six Nations rugby broadcasting
Oh, indeed, yes.
31 January 2024 , Plenary
Welsh Conservatives Debate: Six Nations rugby broadcasting
Diolch, Llywydd. Well, I think we can all agree from what we've heard this afternoon that, in Wales, rugby is a huge part of our cultural and national identity. It reaches areas far beyond the sport itself, doesn't it? It's in the nation's DNA, and the six…
31 January 2024 , Plenary
Debate on the Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee Report, 'Behind the scenes: The creative industries workforce'
No, no, sorry, Tom, you've misunderstood what I was saying. We are not as far down the road with the culture strategy as I would have wanted to be because the overarching panel that is working on this with us has come back to us several times to say that they…
31 January 2024 , Plenary
Debate on the Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee Report, 'Behind the scenes: The creative industries workforce'
From Tom Giffard? Okay.
31 January 2024 , Plenary
Debate on the Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee Report, 'Behind the scenes: The creative industries workforce'
I can't hear anything in the Chamber.
31 January 2024 , Plenary
Debate on the Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee Report, 'Behind the scenes: The creative industries workforce'
Diolch, Llywydd. First of all, can I just say that the Welsh Government absolutely welcomes the publication of the 'Behind the scenes: The creative industries workforce' report? I'd certainly like to thank the committee for its work in this important area…
24 January 2024 , Plenary
Topical Questions
I think that is again a very important and valid point. I'd be more than happy to speak to my counterparts in Scotland, Northern Ireland, hopefully, as well, once we get them, and the Irish Government. I was actually on a call with the sports Ministers of the…
24 January 2024 , Plenary
Topical Questions
I think James Evans is absolutely right on that. Lots of people do like that getting together in the pub, whether it's the pub or whether it's the local rugby club or the local football club—anywhere where they can gather as a crowd to sing and cheer on the…
24 January 2024 , Plenary
Topical Questions
Can I thank Mike Hedges for that question? I've actually been in conversation with the Shadow Secretary of State for Wales and the Shadow Secretary of State for DCMS on a range of issues. Unfortunately, I haven't caught up with them yet on the free-to-air…
24 January 2024 , Plenary
Topical Questions
I think that's an excellent move, Tom. The point that we can make to the UK Government is that this has cross-party support in this Senedd. As we heard, Stephen Crabb was saying, and John Whittingdale was also saying, that if the Senedd supported this then…
24 January 2024 , Plenary
Topical Questions
Diolch yn fawr, Heledd, for that supplementary question. She is absolutely right—of course you’re absolutely right. The cultural importance of sport in Wales and the popularity of rugby and football is well understood. Those benefits are not just felt by…
24 January 2024 , Plenary
Topical Questions
Can I thank Heledd Fychan for that question? The decision not to include the six nations in group A of the listed events regime is disappointing, especially given the cultural and social importance of rugby in Wales. We have urged the UK Government to ensure…
