, Plenary
Plaid Cymru Debate: The UK Government's Elections Bill
But there's no clarity in terms of when this will be available, or how. It adds another barrier to participation. There's also a cost for local authorities to deliver this. There is also the point that when the Government tested a voter ID pilot in 2018, more…
, Plenary
Plaid Cymru Debate: The UK Government's Elections Bill
Yes, fine.
, Plenary
Plaid Cymru Debate: The UK Government's Elections Bill
Ever since plans to introduce compulsory voter ID were introduced, Plaid Cymru has opposed them, and we will continue to oppose them. In 2019, we signed the joint letter from opposition parties urging the UK Government to scrap the policy, and, as we've…
, Plenary
Plaid Cymru Debate: The UK Government's Elections Bill
I'm very much looking forward to disappointing Darren Millar this evening with my contribution. Let's counter some of his statistics at the start, as I, too, can quote the Electoral Commission. As you know, the UK has no national ID card, compared to other…
, Plenary
Welsh Conservatives Debate: The impact of COVID on education
Thank you. Does James Evans have any concerns around the impact of long COVID on children? I'm not sure if you heard yesterday Adam Price state that research estimates that between 10 and 20 per cent of children who contract COVID-19 developed paediatric long…
, Plenary
Welsh Conservatives Debate: The impact of COVID on education
The pandemic and subsequent school closures have had a devastating effect on the mental health of children and young people. Parents have said that, among children and young people, suicidal thoughts, self-harm, eating disorders, excessive exercise and…
, Plenary
Welsh Conservatives Debate: The impact of COVID on education
I would now like to turn to the Plaid Cymru amendments. We know that one of the key ways that we can decrease the spread of COVID-19, including the omicron variant, in schools, colleges and early years settings is to ensure that they are well ventilated. Good…
, Plenary
Welsh Conservatives Debate: The impact of COVID on education
I think there also needs to be some myth busting here regarding some of the claims in the Conservative motion. The motion notes a so-called 'persistent per pupil funding shortfall between Wales and other parts of the UK.’ In 2018, Institute of Fiscal Studies…
, Plenary
Welsh Conservatives Debate: The impact of COVID on education
I move formally the amendments tabled in the name of Siân Gwenllian. As is apparent from the motion and the two amendments, our three parties are agreed that we regret the detrimental impact that the COVID-19 restrictions have had on children and young people…
, Plenary
90-second Statements
Thank you, Llywydd. Yesterday, as noted by many of my fellow Members, the nation celebrated the Urdd's centenary. And we heard, through our Llywydd's excellent singing, that, as part of the celebrations, people of all ages were part of the Urdd's successful…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Education and Welsh Language
Thank you, Minister. I would like to declare, before asking the next question, that I am a Rhondda Cynon Taf councillor. I'd like to turn now to the issue of additional learning needs, and Welsh-medium provision particularly. I warmly welcome the £18 million…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Education and Welsh Language
Thank you, Llywydd. Minister, yesterday you made it clear that the intention is that examinations should proceed this year, and I was pleased to see you recognising the disquiet of learners and staff, and the problems that they've faced in our schools and…
, Plenary
Plaid Cymru Debate: The cost of living
I'd like to focus my contribution to this debate on two essential things that we all need in order to be able to live: food and water—not luxuries, not nice-to-haves, but essentials. Mark Isherwood mentioned in terms of helping people into work, but the…
, Plenary
Topical Questions
Thank you, Deputy Minister. The UK Government announcement on the licence fee on Monday is further proof that Wales's needs with regard to media will never be met while Westminster remains in control of them, and marks the beginning of the end for the whole…
, Plenary
Topical Questions
1. What assessment has the Welsh Government made of the impact of the licence fee freeze on Welsh broadcasting? TQ592
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Papers to note
Just one comment on the letter from the Minister for Economy and the Deputy Minister on remit letters. I am concerned that we still haven't seen the current remit letters. We were discussing those looking into the next financial year this morning, but I'm…
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Scrutiny of Welsh Government Draft Budget 2022-23: Welsh Language
Thank you very much, Chair. I am very aware that this is a budget scrutiny session, not a more general scrutiny session on your portfolio. So, in the context of the budget, clearly we've heard this week the announcement on the BBC licence fee, and the…
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Scrutiny of Welsh Government Draft Budget 2022-23: Welsh Language
Thank you, Minister. You've touched on this in your response, but, clearly, the priority in terms of the million speakers by 2050 runs across all Government portfolios. So, could I ask what evidence has been provided to you as the Minister for the Welsh…
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Scrutiny of Welsh Government Draft Budget 2022-23: Welsh Language
Thank you, Chair, and good morning. Could I ask you, Minister, if you could expand on how the draft budget aligns with the Welsh Government's priorities for the Welsh language, as set out in the updated programme for government?
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Scrutiny of Welsh Government Draft Budget 2022-23: International Relations
Thank you for that, First Minister. Just in our final minute with you, we're very grateful for your time this morning. I think we've all found this session beneficial and we know how busy you are, but clearly the international work of the Government is so…
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Scrutiny of Welsh Government Draft Budget 2022-23: International Relations
Yes, if I may, following on from Hefin David's questions. You recently announced the appointment of Derek Vaughan as the Welsh Government's representative in Europe. Are there additional resources attached to supporting his work?
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Scrutiny of Welsh Government Draft Budget 2022-23: International Relations
Thank you, First Minister. In your answer to Alun Davies, you referred to things such as the work in Germany and so on, which is also something I know that Wales Arts International have been involved with. I think it would be beneficial, if possible—and I…
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Scrutiny of Welsh Government Draft Budget 2022-23: International Relations
Thank you, Chair. Good morning, everyone. I wanted to ask specifically about the service level agreement with Wales Arts International. I understand that that exists, through correspondence that we've received from the arts council, and that it's there until…
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Scrutiny of Welsh Government Draft Budget 2022-23: Culture, Communications and Sport
Yes, just on that, throughout the paper, there are references in terms of the budget to deliver a cultural strategy, which we don't have yet. So, there seem to be a number of assumptions about the cultural strategy. I would just like to see if there is money…
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Scrutiny of Welsh Government Draft Budget 2022-23: Culture, Communications and Sport
Yes. So, there is a possibility of additional funding, otherwise what we're seeing in the budget is a real-terms cut, then, if pay is included within the budget.
