, Plenary
Questions to the First Minister
The Welsh Government's current £380 million package of support includes the Warm Homes programme, which improves the energy efficiency of lower-income households. Eligible low-income households are also benefiting from our £200 fuel support scheme. Our 'Claim…
, Plenary
Questions to the First Minister
The Member clearly didn't hear what I said. Levelling-up in Wales means a £1.1 billion loss in unreplaced EU funds—a Welsh budget cut in real terms. It's also an assault on the devolution settlement, which might have passed him by. I think having deeply…
, Plenary
Questions to the First Minister
Thank you. Ministers have had ongoing discussions around the levelling-up fund, but I'm afraid it's fallen on deaf ears. We've absolutely, consistently argued for funding to be needs based rather then allocated on a competitive basis. As you know, local…
, Plenary
Questions to the First Minister
Despite the fund operating in a plainly devolved area, the Welsh Government has been denied any role in its development or implementation in Wales. The levelling-up fund, like the shared prosperity fund, has been beset by delays, underfunding and chaotic…
, Plenary
Questions to the First Minister
Thank you. I mentioned that we've provided over £71 million to flood risk management activities in the current financial year and, of course, many of those flood defences address the issues that you've referred to. This is on top of similar funding year on…
, Plenary
Questions to the First Minister
I'm not aware of any plans to set up flood action groups, but I'm sure they could be looked at locally. I mentioned the significant funding we've put into trying to protect as many houses as we possibly can, but I think everybody accepts, with climate change…
, Plenary
Questions to the First Minister
Thank you. We have provided over £71 million to flood risk management authorities across Wales this financial year. This includes £12.2 million in capital funding to RMAs in South Wales Central this year. This will be used for improvement works to flood risk…
, Plenary
Questions to the First Minister
As the Member knows, the bus service, unfortunately, was privatised. We're looking at unprivatising, if that's the correct word. We've got the bus Bill, which will be probably the most far-reaching plan across the UK, and I think it really will be a vital…
, Plenary
Questions to the First Minister
The Minister has had a series of meetings with the organisation you refer to. As the leader of Plaid Cymru knows, we have saved the bus industry with that emergency funding during the pandemic. As I said, bus use has changed. There is, I think, a broad…
, Plenary
Questions to the First Minister
Well, I thought most people would welcome three months additional funding for our bus services. I think there has to be a much wider conversation, and I think the Deputy Minister for Climate Change has referred to this. We haven't seen the return to bus use…
, Plenary
Questions to the First Minister
No, it's very wide-ranging. As I say, the Minister and I are meeting tomorrow to discuss specific aspects of it, and obviously we will update the Chamber. But I think you raise a very important point. We know far too many people suffer poor health because of…
, Plenary
Questions to the First Minister
As I said in my first answer to you, it will be this year, I know, because now I have responsibility for noise pollution. Soundscape is obviously part of the clean air Bill, and I know the Minister for Climate Change and I have a meeting tomorrow with our…
, Plenary
Questions to the First Minister
Yes, it's during this year.
, Plenary
Questions to the First Minister
We certainly know that patients suffering from cancer often have many additional costs. They may have to give up work, for instance, and they aren't able to access their salary in the way that they would normally do. Clearly, these are all things that health…
, Plenary
Questions to the First Minister
NHS Wales does help people who have dialysis at home to pay their bills. The Welsh renal network pays home dialysis patients' out-of-pocket expenses, i.e. the additional amounts of electricity and water that you use for the purpose of carrying out your…
, Plenary
Questions to the First Minister
We recognise that there may be a link between the cost-of-living crisis and potential negative impacts on the NHS. We expect the health and care sector to identify those at most risk and signpost people to appropriate support as a way of averting demand on…
, Plenary
Questions to the First Minister
Thank you. Well, as I said in my earlier answer to Gareth Davies, fair fares is one of our programme for government commitments, so the Deputy Minister for Climate Change is exploring that. You outlined the benefits of having free public transport for our…
, Plenary
Questions to the First Minister
I'm really not sure where you think we will get the money from for that very extensive wish list. But just on your specific point around free transport for under-25s, as you'll be aware, it is a programme for government commitment, and the Deputy Minister for…
, Plenary
Questions to the First Minister
Yes, I would absolutely agree with you. We know that no child should go hungry, and local authorities and schools should work in partnership with families who are experiencing difficulties with payment of school meals to try and find a solution to ensure that…
, Plenary
Questions to the First Minister
Analysis shows that families with children are more likely to be impacted by the cost-of-living crisis, particularly children from a household that has protected characteristics. We are supporting young people and their families through initiatives, including…
, Finance Committee
Financial implications of the Food (Wales) Bill: Evidence session 1
So, I'm a Minister who likes targets; not all Ministers do. And, obviously, I’m not taking the procurement Bill forward, but for me, targets—sometimes, they can give unintended consequences. But, I personally think that targets, when you look at the amount of…
, Finance Committee
Financial implications of the Food (Wales) Bill: Evidence session 1
A target?
, Finance Committee
Financial implications of the Food (Wales) Bill: Evidence session 1
Because I'm not convinced the Bill would create any benefits really, I don't think the cost is justified, and I hope I've explained why I think that. I think what we can be sure of is it would create costs for many other public bodies. I'm also very sceptical…
, Finance Committee
Financial implications of the Food (Wales) Bill: Evidence session 1
No.
, Finance Committee
Financial implications of the Food (Wales) Bill: Evidence session 1
Yes, absolutely. As I say, I haven't met Peter certainly since Christmas, because obviously the Bill is now progressing, but I had some very good conversations with Peter, and he's doing this with the very best of intentions, I don't doubt that. But…
