13 December 2023 , Local Government and Housing Committee
Local Government Finance (Wales) Bill: Evidence from the Minister for Finance and Local Government
Thank you, Chair.
13 December 2023 , Local Government and Housing Committee
Local Government Finance (Wales) Bill: Evidence from the Minister for Finance and Local Government
So, bearing in mind the discount and disregards, why do you believe that it's more appropriate to legislate for these discounts and disregards in secondary legislation rather than in an Act of the Senedd?
13 December 2023 , Local Government and Housing Committee
Local Government Finance (Wales) Bill: Evidence from the Minister for Finance and Local Government
And for how long does that commitment last? Is it a permanent or ongoing commitment or will you be reviewing that in future?
13 December 2023 , Local Government and Housing Committee
Local Government Finance (Wales) Bill: Evidence from the Minister for Finance and Local Government
On the discounts, I believe I'm right in saying that you, Minister, have mentioned that you won't be getting rid of the single-person discount. Is that right?
13 December 2023 , Local Government and Housing Committee
Local Government Finance (Wales) Bill: Evidence from the Minister for Finance and Local Government
Thank you. In terms of the Bill before us and that we’re discussing today, could you, Minister, expand on how you can or will use the proposed powers in the Bill in relation to discounts and disregards, please? And are you of the view that these powers could…
13 December 2023 , Local Government and Housing Committee
Local Government Finance (Wales) Bill: Evidence from the Minister for Finance and Local Government
You mentioned in your initial response that levels had to be set by January, and that they couldn’t be changed after that. Why isn’t it possible to have that flexibility in the current system? What’s preventing that?
13 December 2023 , Local Government and Housing Committee
Local Government Finance (Wales) Bill: Evidence from the Minister for Finance and Local Government
So, returning to that point, you've referred there to that element of discretion, and the statement of policy intent indicates that the current local schemes have limited areas of local discretion. So, could you go into that in greater detail? You've touched…
13 December 2023 , Local Government and Housing Committee
Local Government Finance (Wales) Bill: Evidence from the Minister for Finance and Local Government
Thank you, Chair. I want to ask my questions through the medium of Welsh. I take it that the equipment is working. Is everyone happy? I want to focus on discounts and reduced amounts, please. Minister, could you expand on the reasoning behind the proposals to…
13 December 2023 , Plenary
Motion under Standing Order 26.91 seeking the Senedd's agreement to introduce a Member Bill: Mental Health Standards of Care (Wales) Bill
Thank you for your patience.
13 December 2023 , Plenary
Motion under Standing Order 26.91 seeking the Senedd's agreement to introduce a Member Bill: Mental Health Standards of Care (Wales) Bill
The impact of the pandemic has predictably exacerbated these issues. A study by the Wales Governance Centre revealed that the share of people experiencing severe mental health issues increased from 11.7 per cent during the period immediately before the…
13 December 2023 , Plenary
Motion under Standing Order 26.91 seeking the Senedd's agreement to introduce a Member Bill: Mental Health Standards of Care (Wales) Bill
I'd like to thank James Evans for bringing this proposed Bill before the Senedd today. Changes in the Mental Health Act are long overdue. The Mental Health Act is now 40 years old, and we need to bring mental health laws into the twenty-first century, so I…
13 December 2023 , Plenary
Questions to the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution
I thank the Counsel General for that response. The Counsel General will be aware that the inhumane legislation of the Conservative Government on striking is now law. The Government in Westminster does everything within its powers to withdraw rights from…
13 December 2023 , Plenary
Questions to the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution
8. What legal advice has the Counsel General given to the Government regarding which elements of employment law are within the competence of the Senedd or the Welsh Government? OQ60442
13 December 2023 , Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Social Justice and Chief Whip
I thank the Minister for that response. I was out switching on the Christmas lights in Llanbedr, Meirionnydd, last Friday night and I had a very beneficial discussion with Llinos, one of the police community support officers funded by the Welsh Government…
13 December 2023 , Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Social Justice and Chief Whip
7. Will the Minister provide an update on the Welsh Government's plans to fund police community support officers? OQ60437
12 December 2023 , Plenary
Statement by the Minister for Health and Social Services: Escalation and Intervention Arrangements for Maternity and Neonatal Services in Swansea Bay University Health Board
At the very least, these families now deserve a full and frank explanation of the precise circumstances that led to their traumatic experiences. It is deeply regrettable, therefore, that they feel their questions remain unanswered and are being met with…
12 December 2023 , Plenary
Statement by the Minister for Health and Social Services: Escalation and Intervention Arrangements for Maternity and Neonatal Services in Swansea Bay University Health Board
I want to start by expressing my sincerest sympathies to Kate Barrett, Nathalie Borland, Mr and Mrs Channon and all of the families who have suffered as a result of deficiencies in the Swansea Bay University Health Board maternity services. During a time that…
12 December 2023 , Plenary
Questions to the First Minister
The First Minister will be aware that Natural Resources Wales is reviewing its visitor centres, and there is a threat to the future of the Coed y Brenin centre near Ganllwyd, Ystradllyn near Cader Idris, and the centres at Ynyslas and Bwlch Nant yr Arian in…
12 December 2023 , Plenary
Questions to the First Minister
I thank the First Minister for that response. I visited an employer who has to close in Blaenau Ffestiniog recently. They pay a good wage, bearing in mind the wages in the sector, and they have other workplaces in north Wales too. But, unfortunately, the…
12 December 2023 , Plenary
Questions to the First Minister
1. Will the First Minister provide an update on the viability of public bus services in Dwyfor Meirionnydd? OQ60440
6 December 2023 , Plenary
Plaid Cymru Debate: Fuel poverty
You've mentioned a lot of the good things that the Government are doing, but it would be remiss of me not to mention Y Dref Werdd in Blaenau Ffestiniog, which are doing a lot of good work in the community, assisting people with fuel poverty. But in the…
6 December 2023 , Plenary
Plaid Cymru Debate: Fuel poverty
Will the Minister take an intervention, please?
6 December 2023 , Plenary
Plaid Cymru Debate: Fuel poverty
The housing crisis has put huge pressure on households, including those on low incomes, who, more often than not, have to pay a poverty premium for their energy. Low-income households are more likely, therefore, to be on a prepayment meter or are unable to…
6 December 2023 , Plenary
Plaid Cymru Debate: Fuel poverty
The older people's housing champion in Wales, Care & Repair, has stated that, even with Government support, the average Care & Repair client will spend 19 per cent of their income on utilities this winter. Data suggests that, in winter 2022-23, clients who…
6 December 2023 , Plenary
Plaid Cymru Debate: Fuel poverty
In the middle of Sioned Williams's excellent opening contribution, she referred to a very frightening statistic that struck me, which is that almost 300 people die in Wales because of cold every winter and every year. That is frightening, and it's shameful…
