, Plenary
Questions to the First Minister
It is a call that I have made in the past. What I would say is that we have to engage in what the UK Government could do and balance that against other things that the UK Government could do, because it's the outcome that's important, isn't it? It's not what…
, Plenary
Questions to the First Minister
Thank you for the question. Of course, Antoniazzi's is a well-established business of almost 100 years' standing. What we will see outlined by the Cabinet Minister for Finance this afternoon will be truly significant. SMEs are the backbone of our economy, and…
, Plenary
Questions to the First Minister
I know very, very well the challenges faced by Bangor high street. It was my high street growing up, and I'm determined that when we look at Bangor, and all the other high streets throughout Wales, we have a clear focus on using all the tools at our disposal…
, Plenary
Questions to the First Minister
I welcome this timely question from the Member, on the same day my Government publishes plans to cut business rates by 30 per cent for pubs, restaurants, cafes, bars, licensed clubs, hotels, gyms and cinemas. More broadly, through Business Wales, we provide…
, Plenary
Questions to the First Minister
The Member is quite right, of course, about the need to accelerate our mission here, to make the most of the natural resources that we have and to take seriously our responsibilities when it comes to tackling climate change. This is what it's about—setting up…
, Plenary
Questions to the First Minister
I think the point I would make is that high energy prices are not as a result of a pursuit of net zero. They're not as a result of the determination that we must have—every one of us—to tackle the scourge of climate change. And we know the cost of not…
, Plenary
Questions to the First Minister
I congratulate the Member on a shameless, but very, very well meaning and important plug on behalf of his constituents, and I'm sure many of you are thinking along similar lines right now. What the Member does do, of course, importantly, is reflect on the…
, Plenary
Questions to the First Minister
Well, thank you for the question and, as the Llywydd did, I will welcome everyone back after the summer. I understand that it's been a very busy summer for everyone, but I do hope that everyone had an opportunity to relax too. Our aim in establishing a Welsh…
, Plenary
Statement by the First Minister: Legislation
Yes, absolutely. I mean, we've been talking about this across rural stakeholders for a long time, and in fact, the fact is that we can see it in action and working effectively; Northern Ireland, for example, have a system that works and is really interesting…
, Plenary
Statement by the First Minister: Legislation
To all intents and purposes, the exact form and scope of the statutory duty is not decided yet, and that's very common, of course, if we think of legislation that we're collectively proud of here on the well-being of future generations, as that started its…
, Plenary
Statement by the First Minister: Legislation
Diolch yn fawr iawn. Thank you for those questions. Again, some of those last elements on funding are not necessarily relevant to legislation. On water, yes, I do believe absolutely in the principle of public ownership of water. That's my starting point…
, Plenary
Statement by the First Minister: Legislation
Thank you very much for those comments and questions, and, yes, it's good to be able to stand here and make a statement that we are prioritising these areas. We've been talking about them for many years and now we can make progress. What we have here…
, Plenary
Statement by the First Minister: Legislation
I'm really glad to have that question; it's a chance for me to share my views on this as a matter of principle and to lay out the practical. It was a belief of the former First Minister Rhodri Morgan that there needed to be a bonfire of the quangos because of…
, Plenary
Statement by the First Minister: Legislation
I certainly do agree with the Member, and I take heart—. I get the politics, but I take heart from the fact that, across this Chamber, on rural-proofing, for example, there is an agreement, it seems, that this is a good thing to do. The way legislation works…
, Plenary
Statement by the First Minister: Legislation
I recognise the platform that the Member has to lay out a number of political viewpoints, on much of which legislation is not needed. I could refer to legislation that he did propose that I just disagree on—to bring back the damage caused by Margaret Thatcher…
, Plenary
Statement by the First Minister: Legislation
I did see a copy of the manifesto and decided it wasn't for me, as did most of Wales, to be fair. [Laughter.]
, Plenary
Statement by the First Minister: Legislation
Thank you very much for those comments. On the timing of this statement, I would make it clear, Llywydd, that we are following in both spirit and in practice the precise protocols that have always been followed and were followed by the previous Government…
, Plenary
Statement by the First Minister: Legislation
I'll respond on a few of those points. I am still waiting for any sign of ambition from Reform for Wales, but I'll address a couple of issues. On rural-proofing, I think the Member confuses what this is. Yes, there's an element of that legislation that is…
, Plenary
Statement by the First Minister: Legislation
Thank you very much, Llywydd, for the opportunity to respond.
, Plenary
Statement by the First Minister: Legislation
To conclude, safeguarding Welsh democracy is a core principle of this Government, and in support of that, the Counsel General has today issued a written statement outlining the approach that we will take when considering UK legislation that affects devolved…
, Plenary
Statement by the First Minister: Legislation
Finally, on the first phase of the legislative programme, I turn to the economy. Whilst far too many major economic levers still reside in Westminster, we will not stop making the case for their transfer. But, as an immediate step, a tax maintenance Bill will…
, Plenary
Statement by the First Minister: Legislation
Control over water runs far deeper in Wales's collective memory than being seen merely as a matter of policy or regulation. Therefore, acting on a long-held principle at the heart of this Government that Welsh resources should be in Welsh hands, we're already…
, Plenary
Statement by the First Minister: Legislation
Today I'll talk about our first phase of legislation. This recognises the dual importance of bringing early momentum to this legislature's work whilst allowing space to build agreement and develop genuinely impactful legislation across a full four-year term…
, Plenary
Statement by the First Minister: Legislation
Thank you, Llywydd. When I addressed this Chamber back in May, I spoke of my intention to lead a new Government that does things differently, and that is true of legislation as well. Today I want to set out a series of proposals for new laws across a range of…
, Plenary
Questions to the First Minister
The Member is right, and I expect every Member here to want to make sure that the health board serving their constituency is funded according to its need. I should say that the resource allocation formula does take into account the excess costs of rurality…
