, Plenary
Welsh Conservatives Debate: Nuclear
Diolch, Llywydd. Well, let's start with nuclear weapons. They're deadly, they're terrifying and, in a flash, all of this could be over. Devices capable of ending human civilisation. Now, despite the supposed deterrence that these weapons provide, recent…
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Welsh Government international relations: Scrutiny session with the First Minister of Wales
I'm conscious of time, Chair, but just one very, very quick question on the report that was given to the committee. Within the report, it does mention Wales in India being fully set up now, and there were 18 events in the first quarter of 2024—that's welcome…
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Welsh Government international relations: Scrutiny session with the First Minister of Wales
The reason why I asked you specifically around what's left to go within the strategy is that the committee has done analysis in the past that said that there were approximately 250 actions across the strategy and action plans that the Government have to…
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Welsh Government international relations: Scrutiny session with the First Minister of Wales
Diolch, Cadeirydd. Thinking about the delivery of the international strategy—obviously, we're in the fourth year of the strategy now—how much of the strategy itself, the action plans within it, has actually been delivered on now? In essence, how much is left…
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Welsh Government international relations: Scrutiny session with the First Minister of Wales
Diolch, Gadeirydd. Very quickly from me, one of the families that were affected by the October attacks literally lives around the corner from me, and one of the points that they raised was that there was little correspondence between themselves and Welsh…
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Appointment of temporary Chair
Heledd.
, Local Government and Housing Committee
Group 11: Council tax reform (Amendment 45)
It is disappointing that we can't progress with this. I completely understand now that obviously this is a complex change that we are talking about. It's fairly easy to just say that we need to reform council tax, but the reality of it is very complex and I…
, Local Government and Housing Committee
Group 11: Council tax reform (Amendment 45)
Diolch, Cadeirydd. Of course, this is linked to the discussion that we had in group 9, so I think it would be remiss of me not to set out the disappointment that's felt by many, not just in my own party but outside of my party as well, that we haven't been…
, Local Government and Housing Committee
Group 10: Council tax increases (Amendments 35 and 43)
I just wanted to make the point that I am sympathetic to the argument that's put forward here, but there is a risk, of course, that by going down this route you're only then adding additional pressures to local government finance and capacity, which I would…
, Local Government and Housing Committee
Group 8: Publication of notices (Amendment 33)
Diolch, Gadeirydd. Well, I have a lot of sympathy with the Government's intention here. At the end of the day, we are attempting to futureproof a piece of legislation here, and things are moving in a certain direction. But, there is a lot of sympathy as well…
, Local Government and Housing Committee
Group 7: Council tax discounts (Amendments 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31 and 32)
Diolch, Gadeirydd. No additional comments other than just to highlight that we are co-submitting amendments 27, 29 and 31.
, Local Government and Housing Committee
Group 5: Artificial avoidance arrangements (Amendments 20, 23 and 8)
Diolch, Cadeirydd. If I can speak to amendment 20 first, I'll be opposing amendment 20, which would remove the provision of this Bill to address non-domestic rates avoidance. Understanding completely what I've just said under amendment 44, that we do have a…
, Local Government and Housing Committee
Group 4: Non-domestic rating multipliers (Amendments 18, 19, 44 and 22)
I move.
, Local Government and Housing Committee
Group 4: Non-domestic rating multipliers (Amendments 18, 19, 44 and 22)
Diolch, Cadeirydd. I'll speak to my amendment 44. This amendment would place an obligation on Welsh Ministers to publish a statement of policy on setting the non-domestic rating multiplier in Wales, and, then, to lay before this Senedd for debate. I…
, Local Government and Housing Committee
Group 3: Powers to confer or withdraw exemptions (Amendments 16, 17 and 21)
Diolch, Gadeirydd. No additional comments, other than to say that we are happy to co-submit amendment 21, where the amendment looks to provide a minimum period of 60 days for allowing committees to scrutinise regulations proposed under the powers in section…
, Local Government and Housing Committee
Group 2: Non-domestic rating reliefs (Amendments 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 1, 24, 5, 38, 39 and 41)
I hope that Peter, in his closing remarks, can give a bit of clarification on amendment 10 and why the amendment is seeking to remove section 5. That's the only thing I'd like to raise.
, Plenary
Welsh Conservatives Debate: Economic policy
Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. Whatever was left of the Tories' self-proclaimed reputation on economic competence lies in tatters after 14 years of austerity that's widened societal inequalities, after a hard Brexit that's contracted trade in goods by over 13 per…
, Plenary
Statement by the Minister for Social Partnership: The retail sector—Contributing to Wales's economic mission
I don't believe I've had the opportunity to formally welcome you into your new post, Deputy Minister, so I'll take that opportunity now. I want to start by just saying, actually, I think the focus on people and skills is a really important one, and I think…
, Plenary
Questions to the First Minister
Thank you for that answer, First Minister. I understand that Warmworks has been commissioned to deal with the insulation repair scheme, but residents in Caerau in the Llynfi valley have been contacting me with concerns. They've lost faith that anything will…
, Plenary
Questions to the First Minister
8. What discussions has the First Minister had with Bridgend County Borough Council regarding support for residents adversely affected by the Arbed scheme? OQ61253
, Plenary
Topical Questions
Of course, everything that has gone on in Parc right now has caused serious concern for a number of people. G4S are proving that they're unable to run the prison, just like they proved they were unable to run Birmingham, and just like Birmingham, it should be…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care
Thank you for that answer, Cabinet Secretary. Of course, I'm sure you're also aware of the research conducted by the University of Central Lancashire and the Fire Brigades Union into firefighter health in the workplace. As I've mentioned previously, instances…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care
11. What discussions has the Cabinet Secretary had with the Cabinet Secretary for Housing, Local Government and Planning about the Welsh Government's progress in relation to health policy within the fire and rescue services? OQ61211
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Welsh Language
I have accepted all along that Welsh Government is limited in what it can do, but that doesn't stop you calling on the UK Government to make these decisions on nationalisation, or even preservation. Now, the Government has been reluctant to do that up until…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Welsh Language
I have to say, I was taken aback yesterday by the Cabinet Secretary's comment saying the solutions that both myself and Adam Price have championed are not grounded in reality. He's repeated that here now. But the reality as I see it is that the closures are…
