19 October 2022 , Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Climate Change
Well, I wholeheartedly agree with you, Mike. I really would like to stress that we have no intention of following the UK Government in considering opening up development near national parks in our areas of outstanding natural beauty or our sites of special…
19 October 2022 , Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Climate Change
Yes, so, national parks absolutely do need to respond to local people and their concerns and they must, of course, be representative of the communities they serve, but national parks also serve all of the people of Wales—they are, obviously, our 'national'…
19 October 2022 , Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Climate Change
Local accountability is intrinsic to governance of our national parks. Two thirds of members are selected by local authorities, guaranteeing accountability back to local people and communities. We are improving accountability and governance, including a…
18 October 2022 , Plenary
The Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) (No. 3) Order 2022
No.
18 October 2022 , Plenary
The Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) (No. 3) Order 2022
Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. I move the motion. I'm pleased to be able to bring forward the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) (No. 3) Order 2022, which makes minor amendments to the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme Order 2020. The effect…
18 October 2022 , Plenary
The Homelessness (Priority Need and Intentionality) (Wales) Regulations 2022
Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd, and thank you for that contribution, Mabon. This isn't a statement, just to say—we’re introducing the regulations today—so, obviously, it doesn’t cover off a large number of the other surrounding items that you've asked questions on…
18 October 2022 , Plenary
The Homelessness (Priority Need and Intentionality) (Wales) Regulations 2022
Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. Members will be aware of the tremendous work undertaken since the start of the pandemic, which continues today, to ensure no-one is left out in our approach to homelessness. Through statutory guidance, we, along with local authorities…
12 October 2022 , Plenary
Plaid Cymru Debate: The private rental sector
Our commitment is absolutely demonstrated in the investments that we are making: over £197 million of housing support and homeless prevention services, and a record £310 million in social housing this year alone. We do not underestimate, however, the scale of…
12 October 2022 , Plenary
Plaid Cymru Debate: The private rental sector
Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. People across Wales are facing an unprecedented cost-of-living crisis, fuelled by soaring energy, fuel and food costs. But, Dirprwy Lywydd, let's be clear: this is entirely a Tory-made crisis, from a decade of austerity to cruel cuts…
12 October 2022 , Plenary
Plaid Cymru Debate: The private rental sector
Formally. Formally.
11 October 2022 , Plenary
Debate on the General Principles of the Environmental Protection (Single-use Plastic Products) (Wales) Bill and Motion to agree the financial resolution in respect of the Environmental Protection (Single-use Plastic Products) (Wales) Bill
I just wanted to, very specifically, cover off the point from the Chair of the legislation and justice committee on the case study that they included, however. Very respectfully, Huw, I'm very sorry to say that we just don't agree that the legislation and…
11 October 2022 , Plenary
Debate on the General Principles of the Environmental Protection (Single-use Plastic Products) (Wales) Bill and Motion to agree the financial resolution in respect of the Environmental Protection (Single-use Plastic Products) (Wales) Bill
Diolch, Llywydd. I very much welcome all of the comments that have been made by Members today, and the spirit in which they've been made. Given time restraints, unfortunately I just do not have time to go through all of them. As I said in my opening remarks…
11 October 2022 , Plenary
Debate on the General Principles of the Environmental Protection (Single-use Plastic Products) (Wales) Bill and Motion to agree the financial resolution in respect of the Environmental Protection (Single-use Plastic Products) (Wales) Bill
Turning first to the Climate Change, Environment and Infrastructure Committee report, I note recommendation 1 from the committee to in due course publish a strategy for the reduction of plastic pollution in Wales. Our strategic direction for tackling plastics…
11 October 2022 , Plenary
Debate on the General Principles of the Environmental Protection (Single-use Plastic Products) (Wales) Bill and Motion to agree the financial resolution in respect of the Environmental Protection (Single-use Plastic Products) (Wales) Bill
Diolch, Llywydd. I move the motion. I'm very pleased to be here today to open this debate on the general principles of the Environmental Protection (Single-use Plastic Products) (Wales) Bill and to move the motion and the financial resolution. This Bill is an…
5 October 2022 , Plenary
Debate on the Local Government and Housing Committee Report: Second Homes
Of course, we'd already introduced a range of measures, including changes to the upper limit for discretionary council tax premiums and second and long-term empty homes. The changes will have effect from 1 April next year and local authorities are able to…
5 October 2022 , Plenary
Debate on the Local Government and Housing Committee Report: Second Homes
Diolch, Llywydd. I would like to start by recording, also, my thanks to the Local Government and Housing Committee, particularly the Chair, for their in-depth and considered inquiry into the complex issue of second homes. On behalf of my Cabinet colleagues, I…
4 October 2022 , Plenary
Statement by the Minister for Climate Change: Biodiversity
Thanks, Jenny. I don't know the answer to the swift boxes, but I will ask now that you've asked a question. We did that, I can't quite remember, at least one season ago, so we should have some information about the effect. I will certainly ask. On the…
4 October 2022 , Plenary
Statement by the Minister for Climate Change: Biodiversity
Absolutely, Joyce. So, on the peatland programme, I was delighted to be able to announce, alongside Lesley, the acceleration of the peatland restoration project. The projects that I've visited already in Wales have been heart-warming, really, amazing in the…
4 October 2022 , Plenary
Statement by the Minister for Climate Change: Biodiversity
Thank you, Darren. I was really delighted that we were able to listen to that and look at the way that the forestry licences are granted, so I really hope that that comes forward ASAP, myself, as well. In terms of connectivity, this was the topic of a long…
4 October 2022 , Plenary
Statement by the Minister for Climate Change: Biodiversity
Yes, so we had various farmers groups involved in the deep-dive and in the stake—. So, there's a kind of hub-and-spoke thing; that's how we did it. We decided we couldn't have a constructive discussion with more than about 12 people in the core group, so we…
4 October 2022 , Plenary
Statement by the Minister for Climate Change: Biodiversity
I have to say at this point, Huw, to you that there are some people who would say there were already wolves in Singleton park. [Laughter.]
4 October 2022 , Plenary
Statement by the Minister for Climate Change: Biodiversity
Yes, thank you, Carolyn. So, we had the water companies very much involved in our deep-dive and in our wider round-table, and our stakeholders. I personally have met with Ofwat—I always get the Ofs mixed up; Ofwat in this case—to talk about the new pricing…
4 October 2022 , Plenary
Statement by the Minister for Climate Change: Biodiversity
And the wolves. It's really important to understand what the ecosystem you're looking at now looks like and what is currently controlling that. What is the substitute for the apex predator? It's more complicated, isn't it, than that, because there will be…
4 October 2022 , Plenary
Statement by the Minister for Climate Change: Biodiversity
Yes, thank you, Mike. On the apex predator point, I completely agree with that. I don't know if Members have seen the film of Yellowstone park and the reintroduction of the wolves. If you haven't watched that, watch it—just Google, 'Yellowstone park…
4 October 2022 , Plenary
Statement by the Minister for Climate Change: Biodiversity
Yes, thank you, Delyth. I couldn't agree more; we all, obviously, need to play our part. Declaring the emergency is one thing; actually taking the very, very difficult actions that are required to make it happen is quite another. I'm afraid I have to say all…
