, Plenary
Short Debate: Education maintenance allowance: A lifeline in the current crisis
Diolch, Llywydd, and I've agreed to give a minute of time to Mike Hedges, Heledd Fychan, Peredur Owen Griffiths and Jenny Rathbone. What is education maintenance allowance other than a lifeline for so many, both today and in the past? In 1999, the UK…
, Plenary
Plaid Cymru Debate: The private rental sector
To make money, so they're not for families.
, Plenary
Plaid Cymru Debate: The private rental sector
I've heard you refer to houses as 'assets' twice already. Isn't this the crux of the problem with this issue, that houses are being viewed as assets? Houses are homes for families. Will you not accept that?
, Plenary
Plaid Cymru Debate: The private rental sector
Will you take an intervention?
, Petitions Committee
Updates to previous petitions
I recall Peter Fox doing some work on this in his capacity as local representative. I think that's why, potentially, with this petition, my view would be that it's more for local members. This is quite a localised issue now. We've done what we can on our end…
, Petitions Committee
Updates to previous petitions
I noted that the Welsh ambulance service is being quite clear on the work that they've done in modelling their services, but I also note as well the petitioner disputes some of the data that has been used in the work of modelling. I think the petitioner has…
, Petitions Committee
Updates to previous petitions
Diolch, Cadeirydd. This is also a topic that I submitted a motion on; I submitted a motion before the summer recess to discuss this. There was disagreement between myself and the Minister on this, but there is scope for us to have further conversations around…
, Petitions Committee
Updates to previous petitions
Diolch, Cadeirydd. I probably should mention that I know Ros. It seems like this has progressed now, that there are discussions going on with Network Rail as well as explorations into any potential legal issues down the line and engagement with stakeholders…
, Petitions Committee
Updates to previous petitions
Yes, exactly.
, Petitions Committee
Updates to previous petitions
Or, if something happens before then, that we come back to it and that we see where we're at.
, Petitions Committee
Updates to previous petitions
So, in that case, I wonder if it's worth us saying that we will come back to this in, perhaps, a year's time.
, Petitions Committee
Updates to previous petitions
There's no date on the end of the inquiry at all, is there?
, Petitions Committee
Updates to previous petitions
—but, I would agree that we should keep it open. I'm not going to be shutting up about it. But, I think it's worth us at least seeing how this plays out.
, Petitions Committee
Updates to previous petitions
I agree. It's difficult to know what exactly we can do to intervene at this point—
, Petitions Committee
Updates to previous petitions
Diolch, Cadeirydd. I think it's been quite difficult for me to separate my committee hat from my personal hat, really. If we think about what happened about a week or two ago now with comments saying that families had moved on from this particular issue, I…
, Petitions Committee
Updates to previous petitions
Diolch, Cadeirydd. I completely agree with you on that point. I'm just wondering if it's worth seeing if the health committee have any scope to look into this as well, just in terms of them being the specialised committee. But I agree with you, I think we…
, Petitions Committee
Updates to previous petitions
Yes.
, Petitions Committee
Updates to previous petitions
Yes, it's slightly different. But I think the important part now, when considering the petition, is that, as a committee, I think we've come as far as we can, but I do think that there is scope for us as Members to question Welsh Government on this further…
, Petitions Committee
Updates to previous petitions
They have done it in Scotland.
, Petitions Committee
Updates to previous petitions
Diolch, Cadeirydd. Yes, this is one that we as a committee have pursued quite a bit through correspondence with the Minister. I think this was raised about a year ago now. I think the Minister's response has been quite clear on where he stands—he doesn't…
, Petitions Committee
Updates to previous petitions
Diolch, Cadeirydd. As a committee, we've looked at this issue and other issues within this area quite extensively. I think it's worth noting on this particular petition that the Minister has written to all local authorities, and the heads of social services…
, Petitions Committee
Updates to previous petitions
Diolch, Cadeirydd. I would tend to agree, but I know, of course, that Jack has done a lot of work on it. I'm wondering if it might be worth us just deferring it until he's back on the committee.
, Petitions Committee
New Petitions
Yes, of course. Diolch, Cadeirydd. Looking at the whole debate around this particular issue, I think I'm right in saying that what is being proposed by the Deputy Minister isn't a blanket reduction in speed per se; it's to give flexibility to local…
, Petitions Committee
New Petitions
Hopefully they'll be able to consider that in tomorrow's meeting, but I think this is one of those petitions that should be debated in the Chamber.
, Petitions Committee
New Petitions
Diolch, Cadeirydd. I really appreciate Tassia coming here today, and for campaigning as well on this particular issue, highlighting it with the committee. Given that the petition has reached that 10,000 mark, I would like to suggest that we recommend to the…
