22 April 2024 , Petitions Committee
Introductions, apologies, substitutions and declarations of interest
Diolch, Jack, and thank you for this opportunity just to clarify some comments that I made during the Petitions Committee meeting on 18 March about the childcare offer in England. I would just like to make it clear that eligible working parents of…
17 April 2024 , Plenary
Welsh Conservatives Debate: Public Services Ombudsman for Wales
If you'd let me finish, I would have got to that bit, so bear with me a second. In this instance, it is clear that there are questions to answer, particularly around fairness and impartiality, as set out in the motion before us today. I would therefore like…
17 April 2024 , Plenary
Welsh Conservatives Debate: Public Services Ombudsman for Wales
Go on.
17 April 2024 , Plenary
Welsh Conservatives Debate: Public Services Ombudsman for Wales
I would also urge caution in the Senedd considering operational matters within the ombudsman’s office. It is not our role to monitor the day-to-day running of the office, nor should we be challenging the ombudsman's decision, as that would undermine the…
17 April 2024 , Plenary
Welsh Conservatives Debate: Public Services Ombudsman for Wales
I'm contributing today in my role as Chair of the Finance Committee. As Members will be aware, it's not common practice for committee Chairs to make contributions during opposition debates. However, given that this motion seeks to instruct the Finance…
17 April 2024 , Plenary
Debate on the General Principles of the Residential Outdoor Education (Wales) Bill
Finally, Dirprwy Lywydd, our recommendation to undertake further work on the cost implications of potential changes to the school teachers pay and conditions document was also rejected. Although this is once again disappointing, as this cost is potentially…
17 April 2024 , Plenary
Debate on the General Principles of the Residential Outdoor Education (Wales) Bill
Although we are broadly content with the costs included in the RIA, subject to the recommendations in our report, we must also recognise the significant level of funding required for this Bill, set against a backdrop of Welsh Government budgetary pressures…
17 April 2024 , Plenary
Debate on the General Principles of the Residential Outdoor Education (Wales) Bill
Thank you, Dirprwy Lywydd. I welcome the opportunity to participate in this Stage 1 debate on the second Member-proposed Bill to be introduced this Senedd. Our report comes to four conclusions, and makes 11 recommendations. I’d like to start by thanking Sam…
17 April 2024 , Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Constitution and Cabinet Office
I'm a little concerned that the Government knew—. We knew about some of the money that was concerned, but not the quantum that was being made available. A cynic might be inclined to view a little bit of hoarding some of that money back until the new First…
17 April 2024 , Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Constitution and Cabinet Office
Thank you for that response.
17 April 2024 , Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Constitution and Cabinet Office
Diolch, Llywydd. I congratulate you on your reappointment to the finance portfolio. We may have our political differences at times, but it's heartening to see some much-needed continuity in that brief, especially given the challenging fiscal climate, not to…
16 April 2024 , Plenary
& 9. The general principles of the Local Government Finance (Wales) Bill and the financial resolution in respect of the Local Government Finance (Wales) Bill
Finally, Dirprwy Lywydd, I have expressed my view several times in this Chamber that Bills that contain several regulation-making powers do not provide the full financial implications of the legislation being considered. Sadly, this Bill is no exception in…
16 April 2024 , Plenary
& 9. The general principles of the Local Government Finance (Wales) Bill and the financial resolution in respect of the Local Government Finance (Wales) Bill
Turning to our specific recommendations, we support the key aim of the Bill to reform council tax and non-domestic rates to create a fairer and flexible system that can respond to economic change. I am pleased by the Cabinet Secretary’s response to our…
16 April 2024 , Plenary
& 9. The general principles of the Local Government Finance (Wales) Bill and the financial resolution in respect of the Local Government Finance (Wales) Bill
Thank you, Dirprwy Lywydd, and I welcome the opportunity to participate in today’s debate. In our report, we came to one conclusion and made 11 recommendations. I’m grateful to the Cabinet Secretary for responding to our recommendations prior to today’s…
20 March 2024 , Plenary
Short Debate: Saving lives and protecting our communities—The case for overdose prevention centres
We've got police and crime commissioner elections coming in May. Assuming that you're going to be in Government after this week, would you commit to working with new PCCs, when they're elected, to drive forward the work that you've been doing with this and…
20 March 2024 , Plenary
Short Debate: Saving lives and protecting our communities—The case for overdose prevention centres
Diolch yn fawr, Llywydd dros dro. By almost any measure you want to look at, the war on drugs has failed. It has failed in the high number of drug deaths; it has failed when you look at how drugs have become a significant factor in determining prison…
20 March 2024 , Plenary
Plaid Cymru Debate: Barnett formula
The experiences of the past few months have conclusively demonstrated that Welsh public finances are on an utterly unsustainable trajectory. It is also beyond any doubt that the constraints of the Barnett formula are a major barrier to an urgent course…
20 March 2024 , Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Climate Change
In light of the Stage 3 debate we had yesterday, and also a petition that was discussed in Petitions Committee on Monday, I want to get your views on the balance between large-scale solar developments and sites of special scientific interest. What protections…
20 March 2024 , Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Climate Change
Thank you for that response, Minister.
20 March 2024 , Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Climate Change
2. How is the Government ensuring that it fulfils its commitment to Wales becoming carbon neutral? OQ60878
20 March 2024 , Plenary
Nomination of the First Minister under Standing Order 8
Rhun ap Iorwerth.
19 March 2024 , Plenary
Business Statement and Announcement
Trefnydd, I'd like a Government statement on the future of Ffos-y-fran opencast site in Merthyr. It has been some time since we heard anything about this site. Residents have been left with an ugly eyesore that requires remediation to return it to the…
18 March 2024 , Petitions Committee
Updates to previous petitions
Well, what's happened with Bannau Brycheiniog and Eryri is that they haven't been removed, they're still there, but in all correspondence and as the public name of things, that's the natural way that you'd use them. So, that's why I'm asking to have a look at…
18 March 2024 , Petitions Committee
Updates to previous petitions
So, I don't think that has a bearing on how many Welsh speakers there are. Obviously, that 2050—
18 March 2024 , Petitions Committee
Updates to previous petitions
It's just a matter of using the Welsh names and also the protection of historical Welsh names.
