0:00:52 > 0:00:53TRANSLATION: I call the National Assembly,
0:00:53 > 0:00:55the first item on the agenda, questions to the First Minister, and
0:00:55 > 0:00:57the first question from Dai Lloyd.
0:00:57 > 0:00:58TRANSLATION: Plans for social services.
0:00:58 > 0:01:00TRANSLATION: Centre of national strategic importance.
0:01:00 > 0:01:01The field has been protected through the investment
0:01:01 > 0:01:03of an additional ?55 million for 2017 to 2018, alongside
0:01:03 > 0:01:05?60 million for the integrated care fund.
0:01:05 > 0:01:07TRANSLATION: Thank you for that response.
0:01:07 > 0:01:09Further to that, may I ask what measures
0:01:09 > 0:01:12are in place, led by the Welsh government, in order to secure
0:01:12 > 0:01:15an adequate supply of home care services for older people and those
0:01:15 > 0:01:18with disabilities bearing in mind the increasing demand for those
0:01:18 > 0:01:22services and the shortage of funds to provide them to meet
0:01:22 > 0:01:27the increasing needs in this area?
0:01:27 > 0:01:29Of course I have alluded to the integrated care fund
0:01:29 > 0:01:32and what has been invested in that, and the new funding that has already
0:01:32 > 0:01:36been announced, and we see this, bearing in mind the transfer
0:01:36 > 0:01:39from hospital to care, that that kind of delay is actually
0:01:39 > 0:01:48at its minimum level.
0:01:55 > 0:01:58?22 million has been cut from the social care budget
0:01:58 > 0:02:00despite condition 2 billion from UK Government and Wells government
0:02:00 > 0:02:03money as well, additional money, your Minister told me,
0:02:03 > 0:02:05just before the recess, that some money would be
0:02:05 > 0:02:15additional, that money...
0:02:20 > 0:02:22I know you will have examined all of the council budgets.
0:02:22 > 0:02:26Can you tell me, yes or no, whether you are sure that
0:02:26 > 0:02:29all the money that the Minister has set aside for social care will be
0:02:29 > 0:02:34used for social care and not for competing authorities?
0:02:34 > 0:02:35Is there an election next Thursday?
0:02:35 > 0:02:35Ask myself.
0:02:35 > 0:02:38Authorities across Wales have done very well in providing social
0:02:38 > 0:02:41services, despite the cuts that have come from her party, and her party
0:02:41 > 0:02:44in government in London.
0:02:44 > 0:02:47We have seen, we have seen the crisis in social care
0:02:47 > 0:02:50in England, a crisis we have not had in Wales because of the investment
0:02:50 > 0:02:53we have put in to social care, and the extra ?20 million already
0:02:53 > 0:02:54announced.
0:02:54 > 0:02:58The last thing we want is to import that kind of chaos into Wales.
0:03:02 > 0:03:08As a result of the women taking the well-being future
0:03:08 > 0:03:11generations Wales act, we have witnessed in recent years
0:03:11 > 0:03:13significant progress in the improved integration of health and social
0:03:13 > 0:03:14care despite some the comments being made today.
0:03:14 > 0:03:18In particular, I mention the multi-agency
0:03:18 > 0:03:21safeguarding hub.
0:03:25 > 0:03:29Do you agree with me that one of the early priorities of any
0:03:29 > 0:03:32new council coming in after the 4th of May should be to build
0:03:32 > 0:03:34on the excellent work to date carried out by current Labour
0:03:34 > 0:03:43councils like that in Merthyr Tydfil?
0:03:45 > 0:03:47I very much applaud the work of Merthyr Council.
0:03:47 > 0:03:49I look forward to that work continuing in
0:03:54 > 0:03:56First Minister, we're fast approaching a point where social
0:03:56 > 0:03:58care is unaffordable.
0:03:58 > 0:04:00Unless we take urgent action, we are facing the real possibility
0:04:00 > 0:04:05that the system may collapse.
0:04:05 > 0:04:07Successive governments have failed to take account
0:04:07 > 0:04:08of the ageing population.
0:04:08 > 0:04:09And properly plan for future demand.
0:04:09 > 0:04:20What discussions have you had with the UK Government,
0:04:20 > 0:04:22about how to ensure the social care sector has sufficient funding
0:04:22 > 0:04:24to provide top-quality care for all who need it,
0:04:24 > 0:04:33now and in the future?
0:04:33 > 0:04:36I think the member raises an important point in that regard,
0:04:36 > 0:04:38we know demand continues to increase, there has to be debates
0:04:38 > 0:04:40in society as to how that demand will be met.
0:04:40 > 0:04:43That does mean there must be discussions between
0:04:43 > 0:04:44the governments of the UK, because between the countries
0:04:44 > 0:04:47of the UK, we have ensured that there is sufficient funding
0:04:47 > 0:04:49for all social care, we have increased that funding,
0:04:49 > 0:04:52but of course, it is hugely important in the long term to think
0:04:52 > 0:04:54carefully how social care should be funded.
0:04:56 > 0:05:02TRANSLATION: Plans for a medical school for North Wales?
0:05:02 > 0:05:05TRANSLATION: Work is ongoing to determine the appropriate
0:05:05 > 0:05:13approach to getting sustainable medical education and training
0:05:13 > 0:05:16in North Wales and the cabinet secretary for health well-being
0:05:16 > 0:05:18and sport will be working on a statement in coming weeks.
0:05:18 > 0:05:21TRANSLATION: The case for a medical school to serve North Wales
0:05:21 > 0:05:24and rural areas is clear and robust.
0:05:24 > 0:05:30The health board will have spent over ?21 million on employing agency
0:05:30 > 0:05:35medical staff over the past 11 months, up until February this year.
0:05:35 > 0:05:37The Royal College of physicians summarises the situation
0:05:37 > 0:05:46in one sentence.
0:05:51 > 0:05:53There are not enough doctors out there.
0:05:53 > 0:05:55Establishment of a medical school in Bangor would be part
0:05:55 > 0:05:58of the process of training these additional doctors,
0:05:58 > 0:05:59which we need in Wales.
0:05:59 > 0:06:01When exactly will the business case be published, and when will
0:06:01 > 0:06:03the necessary steps be taken to establish the medical
0:06:03 > 0:06:04school be put in place?
0:06:04 > 0:06:07TRANSLATION: There will be a statement over the ensuing weeks,
0:06:07 > 0:06:09and the Minister will be considering this over
0:06:09 > 0:06:11this week and the next, so there will be quite
0:06:11 > 0:06:16a swift statement.
0:06:16 > 0:06:26Any plans must be sustainable.
0:06:30 > 0:06:32It has been a year since I first discussed the need
0:06:33 > 0:06:33for a Bangor medical
0:06:33 > 0:06:35school, the previous Vice Chancellor, continue
0:06:35 > 0:06:37to have those special, three years since the local
0:06:37 > 0:06:39North Wales local medical committee warned that general practice
0:06:39 > 0:06:42in North Wales was in their words facing crisis and unable
0:06:42 > 0:06:46to fill agencies, GPs considering retirement.
0:06:46 > 0:06:52The previous supplie from Liverpool, the Liverpool
0:06:52 > 0:06:55Medical School, had been severed, where their generation had
0:06:55 > 0:06:57primarily come from there.
0:06:57 > 0:07:00In considering as you have agreed to do the business case
0:07:00 > 0:07:03for a medical school in Bangor, how would you ensure that that
0:07:03 > 0:07:06includes a dialogue with Liverpool alongside Bangor to make sure
0:07:06 > 0:07:07that we keep local medics local?
0:07:07 > 0:07:10The issue is that the population in that area is quite small,
0:07:10 > 0:07:12compared to other centres, and so there are issues in terms
0:07:12 > 0:07:15of how could such a medical school work closely with other medical
0:07:15 > 0:07:18schools in Wales or England or elsewhere.
0:07:18 > 0:07:20It is hugely important, any medical school must be sustainable,
0:07:20 > 0:07:27and it must work closely with others in order to ensure that
0:07:27 > 0:07:32sustainability is there in the future.
0:07:32 > 0:07:35Graduates will come back to work in Wales if they have the desire
0:07:35 > 0:07:37and ability to do so.
0:07:37 > 0:07:40Does the First Minister agree that the government also needs
0:07:40 > 0:07:50to look further at ways it can improve the life offered
0:07:54 > 0:07:57for the people of North Wales, as this flight of talent
0:07:57 > 0:07:58illustrates that too often,
0:07:58 > 0:08:01those who move out of Wales to train or work often do so permanently?
0:08:01 > 0:08:04The scheme, the campaign we have in place for recruitment
0:08:04 > 0:08:05and staff is working well.
0:08:05 > 0:08:09We have had a great deal of interest from those in all areas of medicine.
0:08:09 > 0:08:10Ultimately, lifestyle is important, but professional challenge
0:08:10 > 0:08:14is important, people want to go somewhere they will find their work
0:08:14 > 0:08:15interesting, they feel they will be challenged,
0:08:15 > 0:08:18from a medical point of view, and they want to live somewhere
0:08:18 > 0:08:19they feel they are supported.
0:08:19 > 0:08:21The campaign we have put in place has
0:08:21 > 0:08:23outlined all of these issues to potential medical
0:08:23 > 0:08:25practitioners who wish to come to Wales and the response
0:08:25 > 0:08:26has been encouraging.
0:08:26 > 0:08:28TRANSLATION: Questions now from the party leaders.
0:08:28 > 0:08:32Diane Abbott, Shadow Home Secretary, has announced that Labour plans
0:08:32 > 0:08:39to recruit another 10,000 police officers in England and Wales,
0:08:39 > 0:08:42which would mean an extra nearly 1000 in Wales.
0:08:42 > 0:08:47But she was rather sketchy about the cost of this
0:08:47 > 0:08:53proposal first of all, saying it would cost ?300,000,
0:08:53 > 0:08:56average salary of ?30, for a policeman, then it went up
0:08:56 > 0:08:57to 8000 a year, ?80 million.
0:08:57 > 0:09:00Perhaps the First Minister could give his own view
0:09:00 > 0:09:06on the credibility of this policy and what the figures are?
0:09:06 > 0:09:08It's hugely important we see more bobbies on the beat,
0:09:08 > 0:09:10more police officers, 10,000 of them, and people
0:09:10 > 0:09:11will support that.
0:09:11 > 0:09:15You asked the question where the money
0:09:15 > 0:09:20will come from, ?300 million a year over the course of five years,
0:09:20 > 0:09:23?2.7 billion is the pot of the money that will be created
0:09:23 > 0:09:25by reinstating the previous levels of capital gains tax,
0:09:25 > 0:09:26?1.5 billion, with 1.2 billion left over.
0:09:26 > 0:09:36Those are the maths.
0:09:38 > 0:09:41The First Minister is not aware of what happened last time,
0:09:41 > 0:09:43when it was increased in 2010,
0:09:43 > 0:09:46capital gains tax, the rate was raised from 18% to 28%,
0:09:46 > 0:09:49and whereas before the 23rd of June, 2010, he had raised 8.23 billion
0:09:49 > 0:09:51a year, after the 23rd of June, it raised 3.3 billion a year,
0:09:51 > 0:09:54so actually there was a cut in revenue, ?4.9 billion a year.
0:09:54 > 0:10:04How is this increase in police numbers going to be paid for?
0:10:04 > 0:10:06It takes it back to the rate it was before, from 28,
0:10:06 > 0:10:09from 18 upwards on a lower level, that is the way in which
0:10:09 > 0:10:17this will be paid for.
0:10:17 > 0:10:18That's reinstating a tax that was there before,
0:10:18 > 0:10:20and not something that was new.
0:10:20 > 0:10:23The point I was making to the First Minister,
0:10:23 > 0:10:25as a result of raising the rate, the revenue raised from the tax
0:10:25 > 0:10:27fell, not increased, and so, consequently,
0:10:27 > 0:10:29the tax base was reduced, because people could postpone
0:10:29 > 0:10:30realising capital gains.
0:10:30 > 0:10:34People most likely to want to realise capital gains
0:10:34 > 0:10:37are pensioners who cannot afford to live on their incomes.
0:10:37 > 0:10:40This is actually a tax increase which is aimed very largely
0:10:40 > 0:10:42at the people who can least afford to pay it.
0:10:42 > 0:10:55Perhaps...
0:10:55 > 0:10:57Perhaps the...
0:10:57 > 0:10:59Perhaps the illiterate financial plan which has been put before
0:10:59 > 0:11:01us by the Labour Party is the overall...
0:11:01 > 0:11:03Part of the overall plan that he committed himself
0:11:03 > 0:11:06to in my presence in a television studio in Cardiff just
0:11:06 > 0:11:08a couple of weeks ago, increasing borrowing
0:11:08 > 0:11:10by ?500 billion a year.
0:11:10 > 0:11:13Does he really think that the credibility of the UK
0:11:13 > 0:11:15Government in international financial markets is going to be
0:11:15 > 0:11:25advanced by such a stupid policy?
0:11:26 > 0:11:29Soft on crime, Neil Hamilton and Ukip, you heard it here first!
0:11:29 > 0:11:31Not supporting a policy to increase bobbies on the beat,
0:11:31 > 0:11:33we have explained how this will be paid for.
0:11:33 > 0:11:36I don't see his point about pensioners losing out,
0:11:36 > 0:11:38because of capital gains tax, if you are talking
0:11:38 > 0:11:39about inheritance tax...
0:11:39 > 0:11:42Perhaps he even has the two confused.
0:11:42 > 0:11:45Capital gains tax affects those people with the most money,
0:11:45 > 0:11:48it is only right that people with the most money are asked
0:11:48 > 0:11:51to pay more to fund police officers on the street,
0:11:51 > 0:11:54there has never been a cheaper time to borrow money
0:11:54 > 0:11:55on the world financial markets.
0:11:55 > 0:11:57The Labour government of the 1940s did this,
0:11:57 > 0:11:59built the health service, built the welfare state,
0:11:59 > 0:12:02rebuilt the British economy, from a far worse position,
0:12:02 > 0:12:06a far worse position than the Tories did.
0:12:06 > 0:12:09Individuals, individuals know that if you want to buy a house,
0:12:09 > 0:12:12you have a mortgage, you pay it off over 30 years,
0:12:12 > 0:12:16you have an asset at the end of it you are able to use as you want,
0:12:16 > 0:12:18the Conservative Party don't understand that,
0:12:18 > 0:12:20a lot of them have never had a mortgage, they don't know
0:12:20 > 0:12:26what the concept is!
0:12:26 > 0:12:28Everything's given to them on a plate.
0:12:28 > 0:12:30From our perspective, we know the public understand,
0:12:30 > 0:12:33you borrow in order to create an asset that is then worth far
0:12:33 > 0:12:35more, works for individuals, will work for Britain,
0:12:35 > 0:12:38that is the kind of vision we want, a vision that rebuilt Britain
0:12:38 > 0:12:39and does not let it drift.
0:12:44 > 0:12:51First Minister, in June last year you said Labour had no chance
0:12:51 > 0:12:53of winning a general election.
0:12:53 > 0:13:02Why have you abandoned ship?
0:13:03 > 0:13:05I'm not sure I understand that question.
0:13:05 > 0:13:08I do know that Labour has a better chance of winning an election
0:13:08 > 0:13:09than Plaid Cymru does.
0:13:09 > 0:13:10From our perspective, we will work hard, as I know she does.
0:13:12 > 0:13:16In the very same week that you said Labour had no chance
0:13:16 > 0:13:19of winning a general election, one of your senior front bench MPs
0:13:19 > 0:13:23in Westminster resigned and derided your leader,
0:13:23 > 0:13:25Jeremy Corbyn, and you have now appointed him as your election
0:13:25 > 0:13:29co-ordinator for Wales.
0:13:29 > 0:13:32We've seen five different shadow secretaries of state for Wales
0:13:32 > 0:13:40from the Labour Party since the last UK collection.
0:13:40 > 0:13:42-- election, four in the last 12 months.
0:13:42 > 0:13:45Not only have you abandoned ship, you are all squabbling
0:13:45 > 0:13:53over the votes.
0:13:53 > 0:13:55-- life boats.
0:13:55 > 0:13:57This is gross incompetence.
0:13:57 > 0:13:59Do you really expect people who have trusted your party for so long
0:13:59 > 0:14:01to have any confidence in your party's ability
0:14:01 > 0:14:04to defend Wales?
0:14:04 > 0:14:06We did last year.
0:14:06 > 0:14:09Welsh Labour showed it could defend the people of Wales last year,
0:14:09 > 0:14:12and Welsh people voted as they did and we continue
0:14:12 > 0:14:13to do the same this year.
0:14:13 > 0:14:15We will be standing up for Wales in Westminster,
0:14:15 > 0:14:18we do not want the Tories to walk all over Wales.
0:14:18 > 0:14:19Such complacency.
0:14:19 > 0:14:23People need a national party of Wales that is going to protect
0:14:23 > 0:14:27this nation's interests, a party that will protect this
0:14:27 > 0:14:33institution, people's jobs and pensions and the NHS.
0:14:33 > 0:14:37Labour is in no fit state to defend Wales, and so the national party
0:14:37 > 0:14:43of Wales is Plaid Cymru.
0:14:43 > 0:14:46Tomorrow, there will be yet another vote on scrapping
0:14:46 > 0:14:48zero hours contracts, it will be the seventh time
0:14:48 > 0:14:51we have had a vote on this.
0:14:51 > 0:14:54Six times, Labour and the Tories have voted together
0:14:54 > 0:14:59against Plaid Cymru's proposals to end zero hours contracts.
0:14:59 > 0:15:02Tell me, First Minister, are you going to make it
0:15:02 > 0:15:06seven times tomorrow?
0:15:06 > 0:15:10Will you again vote with the Tories against Welsh workers and against
0:15:10 > 0:15:13the Welsh national interest?
0:15:13 > 0:15:17It has always been a message in Plaid Cymru that they stand
0:15:17 > 0:15:20for the Welsh national interest, if that was true they would be doing
0:15:20 > 0:15:29better in elections than they are.
0:15:32 > 0:15:35I do not applaud the idea that one party does not
0:15:35 > 0:15:36have a monopoly on Welsh interests.
0:15:36 > 0:15:38There will be questions that affect the general
0:15:38 > 0:15:41election in this chamber, but people deserve to have questions
0:15:41 > 0:15:44asked about what will happen in Wales if you are in the Assembly.
0:15:44 > 0:15:46We do not support zero hours contracts.
0:15:46 > 0:15:49She is trying to suggest that in principle we think
0:15:49 > 0:15:51they are good thing, we don't.
0:15:51 > 0:15:54But for many reasons, there have been issues surrounding
0:15:54 > 0:16:00what Plaid Cymru want to do that would jeopardise the passage
0:16:00 > 0:16:03of legislation because of the lack of clarity over devolved competence.
0:16:03 > 0:16:07The reality of the situation is we have led the way when it comes
0:16:07 > 0:16:10to getting rid of zero hours contracts, we have done so in
0:16:10 > 0:16:12government and in organisations funded by government.
0:16:12 > 0:16:16She just talks, we have done.
0:16:19 > 0:16:23Can I first of all welcome the new clerk to the Assembly,
0:16:23 > 0:16:27and I look forward to working with you over the coming months
0:16:27 > 0:16:30and years that you fill the role that was so admirably done by Claire
0:16:30 > 0:16:34Clancy.
0:16:34 > 0:16:37First Minister, you have said that you want questions asked of you that
0:16:37 > 0:16:41are relevant to this place, and I do want to draw on the auditor
0:16:41 > 0:16:43general's report last week on the circuit for Wales
0:16:43 > 0:16:44and its funding.
0:16:44 > 0:16:50And in particular the points about government money.
0:16:50 > 0:16:52Welsh government money being used to buy a motorcycle
0:16:52 > 0:16:55firm in Buckinghamshire that went bankrupt.
0:16:55 > 0:16:58Is that a good use of Welsh taxpayers' money?
0:16:58 > 0:17:03?300,000 of Welsh taxpayers' money to buy a motorcycle company
0:17:03 > 0:17:07in Buckinghamshire that then went bankrupt.
0:17:07 > 0:17:12And if it isn't a good use of Welsh taxpayers' money,
0:17:12 > 0:17:13will you apologise?
0:17:13 > 0:17:16We had a report last week where the Cancer Drugs Fund showed
0:17:16 > 0:17:19it wasted ?1 billion of public money, so I won't be
0:17:19 > 0:17:26lectured on that.
0:17:26 > 0:17:27Not by the Conservatives.
0:17:27 > 0:17:29The answer is quite a bit this.
0:17:29 > 0:17:31Whenever we have a project like the circuit of Wales,
0:17:31 > 0:17:33there will be risks, those risks have to be
0:17:33 > 0:17:35managed acceptably.
0:17:35 > 0:17:37The circuit of Wales is still in play, we are looking
0:17:37 > 0:17:41to see whether a model can be produced to take the project
0:17:41 > 0:17:44forward, and we think the people of Blaenau Gwent can be expecting us
0:17:44 > 0:17:47to do that.
0:17:47 > 0:17:50Banks lend money - they acknowledge there
0:17:50 > 0:17:53is a level of risk with that, and it is the same for government.
0:17:53 > 0:17:56That is the most bizarre answer in six years that I have stood
0:17:56 > 0:17:58here I have received from you, First Minister.
0:17:58 > 0:18:01I asked you a simple question about Welsh government money
0:18:01 > 0:18:03that was used to buy a motorcycle firm in Buckinghamshire
0:18:03 > 0:18:04that went bankrupt.
0:18:04 > 0:18:07?300,000 that the auditor general in a report released last week,
0:18:07 > 0:18:10and you have called to questions that are relevant to you in your
0:18:10 > 0:18:13role as First Minister, but you don't believe you need
0:18:13 > 0:18:17to explain that or apologise for that fact?
0:18:17 > 0:18:25Secondly, the report outlined how officials highlighted two ministers
0:18:25 > 0:18:28that they believed that you would be in breach of state aid rules
0:18:28 > 0:18:31by allowing the 7.3 million loan guaranteed to be put in place,
0:18:31 > 0:18:32and then drawn down.
0:18:32 > 0:18:35Officials gave that advice to ministers, the auditor general
0:18:35 > 0:18:38could not find any evidence to contradict that advice
0:18:38 > 0:18:42that was given to ministers, so why did ministers put the Welsh
0:18:42 > 0:18:46government and Welsh taxpayers' money at risk,
0:18:46 > 0:18:52and potentially for infringement proceedings by the European
0:18:52 > 0:18:55Commission because you are breaking state aid rules?
0:18:55 > 0:19:02Normally when state aid rules of breached,
0:19:02 > 0:19:04it is the recipient who pays.
0:19:04 > 0:19:06We will assess the situation to see if the risk is acceptable.
0:19:06 > 0:19:08Two things to be said about the circuit of Wales.
0:19:08 > 0:19:11The auditor general has not said that this is a project
0:19:11 > 0:19:13not worth supporting.
0:19:13 > 0:19:17Nor has the auditor general said that the circuit of Wales
0:19:17 > 0:19:20is a business organisation with no assets, contrary to his own MP,
0:19:20 > 0:19:22David Davis, of what he has said.
0:19:22 > 0:19:26Yes, in the course of the development of the circuit of Wales,
0:19:26 > 0:19:33there is an assessment of risk.
0:19:33 > 0:19:35Decisions are taken to accept that risk if deemed necessary,
0:19:35 > 0:19:39and then of course we move on to see if the circuit of Wales
0:19:39 > 0:19:40can become a reality.
0:19:40 > 0:19:42That is what governments do, look at risk and decide
0:19:42 > 0:19:45if it is acceptable, because ultimately the prize might
0:19:45 > 0:19:47be one that is something that is worth having.
0:19:47 > 0:19:50We are not at that stage yet, we are still looking to see
0:19:50 > 0:19:57whether the circuit of Wales can produce that has a single model.
0:19:57 > 0:19:59The auditor general was specifically in what he's looking at,
0:19:59 > 0:20:02the tranche of money that the Welsh covered has spent to
0:20:02 > 0:20:05date, ?9.3 million.
0:20:05 > 0:20:07That is a significant sum of money.
0:20:07 > 0:20:10No one is disputing that the overall scheme could have a massive
0:20:10 > 0:20:12impact of regeneration, but you are accountable
0:20:12 > 0:20:13for the way money is allocated.
0:20:13 > 0:20:19I have highlighted to you two examples in the report.
0:20:19 > 0:20:25One buying a motorcycle firm in Buckinghamshire that went
0:20:25 > 0:20:27bankrupt for ?300,000.
0:20:27 > 0:20:30What bids will you accept if you are accepting bids like that?
0:20:30 > 0:20:33And two, that you infringe state aid rules by putting
0:20:33 > 0:20:37the loan guarantee in place.
0:20:37 > 0:20:39Both of which you have not apologised for or
0:20:39 > 0:20:41you haven't discounted to say it is incorrect.
0:20:41 > 0:20:46What exactly can we expect from the Welsh government given
0:20:46 > 0:20:52that there is a litany of examples where officials advice were totally
0:20:52 > 0:20:58ignored and ministers disposed of high-value land,
0:20:58 > 0:21:07officials were discounted and the public lost out
0:21:07 > 0:21:09through losing money when overall sales were concluded,
0:21:09 > 0:21:11and this is the same example were public money has been put
0:21:11 > 0:21:14in jeopardy as the auditor general has pointed out.
0:21:14 > 0:21:18How can we have any confidence that your government is working
0:21:18 > 0:21:20positively to either form a positive conclusion on this
0:21:20 > 0:21:23agreement, or that you will end up putting more public money at risk?
0:21:23 > 0:21:26The agreement is one that we would want to be positive,
0:21:26 > 0:21:29we are not looking to put more public money in.
0:21:29 > 0:21:31We are looking to work with a private investigator
0:21:31 > 0:21:34for the future of these things which is under discussion.
0:21:34 > 0:21:37I remind the leader of the Welsh Conservatives that
0:21:37 > 0:21:39sometimes you have to take a decision to benefit
0:21:39 > 0:21:41people in the future.
0:21:41 > 0:21:43Last week, we saw the decision by Qatar Airways to fly
0:21:43 > 0:21:52into Cardiff airport.
0:21:58 > 0:22:02That airport would be shut if he'd had his way.
0:22:02 > 0:22:04He was questioning the fact that the Welsh government
0:22:04 > 0:22:05bought the airport.
0:22:05 > 0:22:07We have seen great passenger growth, huge opportunities for Wales
0:22:07 > 0:22:08as a result of that.
0:22:08 > 0:22:12Let him apologise for the fact that he's willing to put 1000 jobs
0:22:12 > 0:22:14at risk in the Vale of Glamorgan by letting the airport close.
0:22:14 > 0:22:17On top of that, we have unemployment that is lower than England,
0:22:17 > 0:22:19lower than Scotland, lower than Northern Ireland.
0:22:19 > 0:22:22We have a situation where the five companies that have grown most
0:22:22 > 0:22:25in Wales over the past year are companies that we as a Welsh
0:22:25 > 0:22:28Government have helped, the fact that we have had the best
0:22:28 > 0:22:33foreign investment figures in 30 years.
0:22:33 > 0:22:35The reality is that we create jobs when the Tories destroy them.
0:22:35 > 0:22:38TRANSLATION: What is the Welsh Government doing
0:22:38 > 0:22:42to support the housing needs of people in Pembrokeshire?
0:22:42 > 0:22:45We are making significant investment in all types of housing
0:22:45 > 0:22:48in Pembrokeshire and across Wales.
0:22:48 > 0:22:56This includes continued investment in social housing
0:22:56 > 0:22:58and help-to-buy Wales as well, and schemes to make
0:22:58 > 0:22:59homeownership more successful and support innovation.
0:23:00 > 0:23:03Thank you for that response.
0:23:03 > 0:23:07I recently met representatives of the housing association
0:23:07 > 0:23:10to discuss the housing needs of people in Pembrokeshire that
0:23:10 > 0:23:13would mean providing affordable housing for local people
0:23:13 > 0:23:15with at least a third of the residents over 50
0:23:15 > 0:23:19years of age to bridge between the generations.
0:23:19 > 0:23:23So would you agree with me therefore that we should be encouraging
0:23:23 > 0:23:26projects of this sort, and if so, can you tell me
0:23:26 > 0:23:29what support the Welsh government is providing to projects such
0:23:29 > 0:23:32as this one?
0:23:32 > 0:23:38Of course, it would be interesting if the officials
0:23:38 > 0:23:39could meet our officials to understand better
0:23:39 > 0:23:42the model that they have, and I'm sure should they want to do
0:23:42 > 0:23:45that, we would welcome a meeting.
0:23:52 > 0:23:54Thank you.
0:23:54 > 0:23:56The problem of second homes and holiday homes is a particular
0:23:56 > 0:24:00problem in Pembrokeshire as it is in a number of areas that
0:24:00 > 0:24:02are popular with visitors and tourists and people looking
0:24:02 > 0:24:08to retire to those areas, and it overheats the local housing
0:24:08 > 0:24:10market in terms of the incomes available to local people,
0:24:10 > 0:24:14particularly young people, there are whole streets in Tenby
0:24:14 > 0:24:16where nobody is living for most of the year.
0:24:16 > 0:24:25So what can the Government do to assist in that context?
0:24:25 > 0:24:28Plaid Cymru has proposed that planning regulations could be used
0:24:28 > 0:24:31in certain communities in order to ensure that there is a change
0:24:31 > 0:24:33of use when a home leaves a permanent occupation and becomes
0:24:33 > 0:24:35a holiday home.
0:24:35 > 0:24:37Is that a consideration for Government?
0:24:37 > 0:24:39This is something that has been discussed and considered previously,
0:24:39 > 0:24:42but it is much more difficult in practice rather than in principle
0:24:42 > 0:24:47as regards what kind of definition you place on a second home.
0:24:47 > 0:24:49But having said that, I understand what the member
0:24:49 > 0:24:54is saying about the impact on communities, and we have
0:24:54 > 0:24:57ensured that there is more social housing available,
0:24:57 > 0:25:01and other considerations have been made such as trusts to acquire
0:25:01 > 0:25:04land that people can construct their own home,
0:25:04 > 0:25:07and also sharing of property equity, and in the future, we can maybe look
0:25:07 > 0:25:13at how to purchase houses from the private market
0:25:13 > 0:25:18so that the houses are available particularly in villages,
0:25:18 > 0:25:22so there are a number of ways in which we can secure a future
0:25:22 > 0:25:26for those people who wish to live and remain in those communities,
0:25:26 > 0:25:30but perhaps we need to think more imaginatively than the traditional
0:25:30 > 0:25:35ways of thinking to date.
0:25:35 > 0:25:37What assessment has the First Minister made
0:25:37 > 0:25:39of the benefit to Wales if the UK Government were to borrow more
0:25:40 > 0:25:44to invest at the current low rates?
0:25:44 > 0:25:46Any increase in public expenditure in comparable areas
0:25:46 > 0:25:49would be more money in Wales to support our priorities.
0:25:49 > 0:25:50I thank the First Minister for that answer.
0:25:50 > 0:25:54In household terms, has he outlined a response to the earlier question,
0:25:54 > 0:25:58we are used to the idea of balancing the books, managing
0:25:58 > 0:26:02income and outgoings, and critically managing debt,
0:26:02 > 0:26:06whether on the mortgage on our home or our family car.
0:26:06 > 0:26:09Government borrowing is far more complex,
0:26:09 > 0:26:12but the basic principles remain, including managing your debt at any
0:26:12 > 0:26:15given time, yet classic economics recognises that for Government
0:26:15 > 0:26:24roaring there are times, especially when the cost of rain
0:26:26 > 0:26:28-- cost of borrowing is as low as it is now,
0:26:28 > 0:26:30when borrowing can be used
0:26:30 > 0:26:32to reverse austerity and bring growth, and by bringing growth,
0:26:32 > 0:26:34ensuring that the deficit remains at the same percentage of GDP.
0:26:34 > 0:26:37So isn't it time, I say to the First Minister,
0:26:37 > 0:26:39for the UK Government to change its approach
0:26:39 > 0:26:42for the good of the country, for Wales and the UK,
0:26:42 > 0:26:44or for the good of the country, is it time to change
0:26:44 > 0:26:52the UK Government?
0:26:52 > 0:26:59All governments borrow.
0:26:59 > 0:27:01Margaret Thatcher borrowed every single year, but they used that
0:27:01 > 0:27:03to pay the tax decreases,
0:27:03 > 0:27:04that was unsustainable.
0:27:04 > 0:27:05The issue is, borrow money to invest in capital infrastructure,
0:27:05 > 0:27:09and secondly, borrow in a way that is prudent so the debt doesn't
0:27:09 > 0:27:12become unmanageable.
0:27:12 > 0:27:15The problem we have at the moment is the Government in London
0:27:15 > 0:27:21is completely without vision, doesn't know what it wants
0:27:21 > 0:27:26to do, has no vision for investment in infrastructure.
0:27:26 > 0:27:27We were promised electrification
0:27:27 > 0:27:29of the Southwest mainline, no clarification on HS2,
0:27:29 > 0:27:32just dithering from the government when it comes to funding essential
0:27:32 > 0:27:35capital in four structure.
0:27:35 > 0:27:37Countries that do not invest in their infrastructure decline.
0:27:37 > 0:27:39They cannot compete with other countries around the world,
0:27:39 > 0:27:48and the problem we have
0:27:48 > 0:27:52with the current UK Government is they are unwilling to invest.
0:27:52 > 0:27:55Minister, let's get a little bit of sanity back into this question,
0:27:55 > 0:28:05borrowing is of course an important tool in any government's tool box,
0:28:07 > 0:28:08important tool for the Welsh government.
0:28:08 > 0:28:12The levels of borrowing proposed by the Labour Party
0:28:12 > 0:28:18in the UK are eye-watering, and in your heart of hearts,
0:28:18 > 0:28:20you know that.
0:28:20 > 0:28:23The last thing this country needs, the last thing the UK needs,
0:28:23 > 0:28:26the last thing that Wales needs is for Jeremy Corbyn's Labour Party
0:28:26 > 0:28:29to ratchet up the debt once again and for us to end up in the same
0:28:29 > 0:28:33kind of position we have been in every time the UK has been
0:28:33 > 0:28:35in every time the Labour Party has been in government.
0:28:35 > 0:28:37Britain's best years are always under Labour,
0:28:37 > 0:28:40look at where we were the start of the last decade, much, much
0:28:40 > 0:28:42better, look at where we are now.
0:28:42 > 0:28:45We are in a much better position than we were in the 1980s,
0:28:45 > 0:28:47when the Tories main manufacturing product was high unemployment!
0:28:47 > 0:28:50They took Wales to a level of unemployment well beyond 10%.
0:28:50 > 0:28:53We need competent economic policies, which the Tories have
0:28:53 > 0:28:57never ever given us.
0:28:57 > 0:29:00So it is hugely important we have a UK Government that
0:29:00 > 0:29:04understands the value of investment, capital investment, has
0:29:04 > 0:29:06a vision for the country and doesn't keep on saying,
0:29:06 > 0:29:11we need stable and strong leadership.
0:29:11 > 0:29:14Let me tell you, that involves doing leadership debates,
0:29:14 > 0:29:16talking to ordinary people, not having events that are closed
0:29:16 > 0:29:19off to the regional press, as was the case in Cornwall today,
0:29:19 > 0:29:21and a Prime Minister who is strong and not one who acts
0:29:25 > 0:29:28If we followed the logic of the First Minister,
0:29:28 > 0:29:34now is the time to take advantage of historically low interest rates,
0:29:34 > 0:29:36then why is it that his own government's finance secretary
0:29:36 > 0:29:42is limiting the financing through the mutual investment model
0:29:42 > 0:29:47to a billion, not increasing it to the 10.5 billion suggested
0:29:47 > 0:29:51by Gerry Holding, senior adviser to his government?
0:29:51 > 0:29:54Isn't this yet another example of the Labour Party saying one thing
0:29:54 > 0:29:59in its British manifesto and doing a different thing in Wales?
0:29:59 > 0:30:02That is the kind of hypocrisy that has given democratic
0:30:02 > 0:30:04politics a bad name!
0:30:04 > 0:30:07Says the man described as the last prophet of Wales,
0:30:07 > 0:30:10in his election leaflet, who am I to argue!
0:30:10 > 0:30:16That is on his leaflet!
0:30:16 > 0:30:19There you are, he asked a question, the reality is, 1.5 billion,
0:30:19 > 0:30:22we will borrow up to a level that is proven, 1.5 billion,
0:30:22 > 0:30:32in devolved terms, is a prudent level of borrowing.
0:30:37 > 0:30:38The enterprise zone
0:30:38 > 0:30:39is an important lever.
0:30:39 > 0:30:41It is hugely important, we know the zone is a compelling
0:30:41 > 0:30:44proposition for investment.
0:30:44 > 0:30:50Thank you for that answer.
0:30:50 > 0:30:53It was established to the closure of the steelworks following
0:30:53 > 0:30:56the original decision by Tata to set up a UK operations.
0:30:56 > 0:31:00It is important we diversify manufacturing and other
0:31:00 > 0:31:03manufacturing within Port Talbot, but it is believed to be
0:31:03 > 0:31:07within the Port Talbot enterprising, what analysis has the Welsh
0:31:07 > 0:31:11government undertaken to consider the impact that building a prison
0:31:11 > 0:31:15in that enterprise zone will have on attracting new businesses,
0:31:15 > 0:31:17and attracting growth to build a stronger economy based
0:31:17 > 0:31:24on high-tech ability?
0:31:24 > 0:31:27A negative outcome will fail to sell the land government
0:31:27 > 0:31:32to the department of justice?
0:31:32 > 0:31:35We have not committed that analysis yet, what I can say,
0:31:35 > 0:31:39to reassure him, I have a prison in my constituency, in fact,
0:31:39 > 0:31:41built while I was ward councillor in my ward.
0:31:41 > 0:31:48It has not had an negative impact at all, it employs a large
0:31:48 > 0:31:51number of people locally, it has provided work for a large
0:31:51 > 0:31:53number of contractors.
0:31:53 > 0:31:57While I can well understand some of the constituents being concerned,
0:31:57 > 0:32:02and those are represented, the experience in Bridgend,
0:32:02 > 0:32:06in fact, a housing estate is being built next to it,
0:32:06 > 0:32:08as we speak.
0:32:08 > 0:32:11The prison becomes integrated into the life of the community
0:32:11 > 0:32:17and in fact can be a job creator.
0:32:17 > 0:32:19The Swansea-based city region, steel, which has been signed
0:32:19 > 0:32:21in Swansea, is set to trigger ?1.3 billion worth of investment
0:32:21 > 0:32:25in the region, the proximity of the University as you have
0:32:25 > 0:32:28mentioned already and the emphasis on steel-based supply chain
0:32:28 > 0:32:30within the enterprise zone, the enterprise zone bought also
0:32:30 > 0:32:35hopes to create opportunities and promoting innovation
0:32:35 > 0:32:40and entrepreneurship in advanced manufacturing and materials,
0:32:40 > 0:32:44what kind of help can we expect from Welsh government to help
0:32:44 > 0:32:46the local steel sector take advantage of RND,
0:32:46 > 0:32:49and commercialisation is in those of the two sectors,
0:32:49 > 0:32:56in order to protect the economy?
0:32:56 > 0:32:58We have been working with Swansea University in terms
0:32:58 > 0:33:01of RND and we have been working with Tata to move RND
0:33:01 > 0:33:04into South Wales, and we want to make sure there is as much taking
0:33:05 > 0:33:09place in Wales as possible.
0:33:09 > 0:33:11There are great opportunities there for Tata.
0:33:11 > 0:33:14We believe there are great opportunities with the lagoon,
0:33:14 > 0:33:18that is widely supported in the chamber, and I do hope that
0:33:18 > 0:33:23whatever happens after, we will have the creation of 1000
0:33:23 > 0:33:27jobs in the area, which will be hugely, a huge catalyst
0:33:27 > 0:33:33in terms of job creation within the enterprise zone.
0:33:33 > 0:33:36I heard your response to David Rhys, but I did not hear
0:33:36 > 0:33:39whether you as First Minister have a government that would be
0:33:39 > 0:33:42supporting the prison in Port Talbot, I recognise
0:33:42 > 0:33:44what you say about Bridgend, but you will understand,
0:33:44 > 0:33:47the prison in Port Talbot, if it is built, will be
0:33:47 > 0:33:49significantly overcapacity and is not something that we think
0:33:49 > 0:33:55will add benefit to the local economy.
0:33:55 > 0:33:58I have had concerns from local people with regards to the fact that
0:33:58 > 0:34:03many of them are trying to rent out space of over 10,000
0:34:03 > 0:34:05square feet input all but, small businesses wanting to develop,
0:34:05 > 0:34:09now moving to your area, I'm sure you are pleased to hear that,
0:34:09 > 0:34:13but they cannot stay in Port Talbot.
0:34:13 > 0:34:17Could you not be focusing on the real everyday issues that
0:34:17 > 0:34:19small businesses are facing rather than imposing a super
0:34:19 > 0:34:21prison on Port Talbot?
0:34:21 > 0:34:24Prisons are not devolved, we will examine any and all
0:34:24 > 0:34:26consequences of building a prison, so if people are moving to Bridgend
0:34:26 > 0:34:28then the prison has not affected their decision.
0:34:28 > 0:34:30We will consider these things carefully.
0:34:30 > 0:34:33It is important the UK Government makes very clear what it feels
0:34:33 > 0:34:36the prison can deliver, capacity but the local comic,
0:34:36 > 0:34:40and they will make the case for the prison and we will examine
0:34:40 > 0:34:44carefully what the case is.
0:34:44 > 0:34:52Will the First Minister outline the wealth government's
0:34:52 > 0:34:57plans to improve access to primary health care?
0:34:57 > 0:34:58Yes, through modernising primary care services,
0:34:58 > 0:35:01we will have access continuing to approve when local issues arise,
0:35:01 > 0:35:03local needs will continue to be met.
0:35:03 > 0:35:05In my constituency, we have experienced big problems with GP
0:35:05 > 0:35:06retention and recruitment.
0:35:06 > 0:35:13It is of particular concern in the Rhondda,
0:35:13 > 0:35:17because we have an ageing population and an ageing GP population.
0:35:17 > 0:35:23We saw the closure of 80 surgery last year.
0:35:23 > 0:35:26Less than a fortnight ago, other surgery patients were told
0:35:26 > 0:35:30to go out of the ward, because GP cover could not be
0:35:30 > 0:35:35arraigned for that particular day, causing a lot of concern in an area
0:35:35 > 0:35:37where appointments are difficult to come by at the best of times.
0:35:37 > 0:35:40With all the problems in the NHS in England,
0:35:40 > 0:35:43why is recruitment such a problem in Wales?
0:35:43 > 0:35:46Doctors should be falling over themselves to come and work in Wales
0:35:46 > 0:35:54but you failed to capitalise on that situation.
0:35:54 > 0:35:57Do you also regret that after 18 years of Labour
0:35:57 > 0:36:00running the NHS in Wales, we still have one of the worst
0:36:00 > 0:36:07patient doctor numbers in the whole of the EU?
0:36:07 > 0:36:11We have more GPs than ever before and we are getting to a situation,
0:36:11 > 0:36:13we are at the stage, more GPs are coming to work
0:36:13 > 0:36:16in Wales, hugely important that the structure of the general
0:36:16 > 0:36:17practice is attractive.
0:36:17 > 0:36:21It is a reality in my mind that more and more GPs want to be salaried,
0:36:21 > 0:36:25not buy into a practice, debt from medical school,
0:36:25 > 0:36:30why would they fork out more money?
0:36:30 > 0:36:33It is not an attractive proposition for many of them.
0:36:33 > 0:36:35That will be attractive for some, that is the important part
0:36:35 > 0:36:39of the NHS for years to come.
0:36:39 > 0:36:41Because of unforeseen circumstances, cover was not
0:36:41 > 0:36:44there in the particular instance you outlined, I can understand
0:36:44 > 0:36:48people being frustrated about this part of the practice,
0:36:48 > 0:36:52but nevertheless, there is a grants surgery there are,
0:36:52 > 0:36:56but we have seen a 16% increase in the number of GP
0:36:56 > 0:36:58places fell so far.
0:36:58 > 0:36:59?42 million will be provided additional.
0:36:59 > 0:37:04And, importantly, work is being taken forward in Cynon Taf,
0:37:04 > 0:37:07working across practices in one cluster.
0:37:07 > 0:37:09Surgeries that are quite small and find it difficult to provide
0:37:09 > 0:37:12cover, at the level that would be expected these days,
0:37:12 > 0:37:15are able to work together in order to provide conference of cover
0:37:15 > 0:37:24that people need.
0:37:29 > 0:37:33Comprehensive cover.
0:37:33 > 0:37:36Patients need not only access to good GP surgeries
0:37:36 > 0:37:40and the GPs but also they need a quality of access.
0:37:40 > 0:37:44We all accept and there is a growing recognition that GPs should be left
0:37:44 > 0:37:47to deal with the more complex cases and those with multiple
0:37:47 > 0:37:50comorbidities, and we welcome the growth in having counsellors
0:37:50 > 0:37:56in GP surgeries, in having palliative care services and so on.
0:37:56 > 0:38:02I wonder what discussions your government may have had on extending
0:38:02 > 0:38:07the appointment time, because if a GP who is already under
0:38:07 > 0:38:12enormous pressure as to see a patient with complex health care
0:38:12 > 0:38:16issues, comorbidities or, and write up those notes,
0:38:16 > 0:38:22the standard ten minutes is a very difficult thing for them
0:38:22 > 0:38:25to undertake all that work in.
0:38:25 > 0:38:27I wonder if your government has had any consideration
0:38:27 > 0:38:30of the particular matter?
0:38:30 > 0:38:32Can I welcome first of all what the member
0:38:32 > 0:38:35said about not piling, not piling all the pressure on GPs.
0:38:35 > 0:38:40A good number of cases that appear for GPs don't need a GP,
0:38:40 > 0:38:43which is why it is hugely important we choose well.
0:38:43 > 0:38:47We see, when practices are taken over, they become multidisciplinary,
0:38:47 > 0:38:51people directed to a nurse, to a pharmacist, as appropriate,
0:38:51 > 0:38:54rather than everybody piling onto the GP.
0:38:54 > 0:38:57The challenge for the smaller practices is to be able to take
0:38:57 > 0:39:00pressure off themselves, by working with other practices,
0:39:00 > 0:39:03to provide more wider and to list it services between them,
0:39:03 > 0:39:06so for example, is it reasonable for a season Racing or had
0:39:06 > 0:39:11a practice to employ nurses and physiotherapist, no,
0:39:11 > 0:39:14what working at other practices, it becomes far more viable
0:39:14 > 0:39:20for that to happen.
0:39:20 > 0:39:25But she does not do this in fairness, it is important
0:39:25 > 0:39:31to think that primary care is not just about GPs, it is making sure
0:39:31 > 0:39:33people get the right level of care at the right time.
0:39:33 > 0:39:36You release more time for GPs if you take pressure off GPs,
0:39:36 > 0:39:38then they have more time to meet the patients.
0:39:38 > 0:39:40Future opportunities for them as Asians relocating to Wales
0:39:40 > 0:39:42from the south-east of England?
0:39:42 > 0:39:44The large proportion of recent investment from companies
0:39:44 > 0:39:46headquartered elsewhere in the UK have indeed come from London
0:39:46 > 0:39:47and the south-east of England.
0:39:47 > 0:39:53I thank the First Minister for that response, does the First Minister
0:39:53 > 0:39:56support the call from the leader of Cardiff Council for the UK
0:39:56 > 0:40:01Government, to the UK Government, for Channel 4 to be
0:40:01 > 0:40:03a gated to Cardiff?
0:40:03 > 0:40:06In view of the success of the media industry in Cardiff,
0:40:06 > 0:40:08and as part of the consultation that is now going on about
0:40:08 > 0:40:10the future of Channel 4?
0:40:10 > 0:40:13Yes, I do, very much, it has a great deal to offer
0:40:13 > 0:40:16in terms of media services, we have seen huge growth
0:40:16 > 0:40:22in the creative industry, not just in Cardiff but we have seen
0:40:22 > 0:40:25huge growth in the media in Cardiff, and Cardiff would be an ideal
0:40:25 > 0:40:27headquarters for Channel 4.
0:40:27 > 0:40:31Will the First Minister make a statement...
0:40:31 > 0:40:33LAUGHTER On the appropriate magnitude of borrowing,
0:40:33 > 0:40:37for Welsh government in the UK context?
0:40:37 > 0:40:40Is readjusting myself there, and we will maximise all the tools
0:40:40 > 0:40:43available to support the economy and public services in Wales
0:40:43 > 0:40:46including making best use of the ?1 billion of borrowing power
0:40:46 > 0:40:50was secured through the new fiscal framework.
0:40:50 > 0:40:54First Minister, whether the question is 1 billion or 1.5 billion
0:40:54 > 0:40:57of borrowing for Wales, or 500 billion of borrowing
0:40:57 > 0:41:00for the UK, your answer seems to be the same,
0:41:00 > 0:41:03let's borrow, it is cheap.
0:41:03 > 0:41:05There seemed to be less consideration to how
0:41:05 > 0:41:08we would pay back the money, or what would happen
0:41:08 > 0:41:10if interest rates go up.
0:41:10 > 0:41:12Do you seriously believe it is appropriate for the UK
0:41:12 > 0:41:15to borrow 300 times as much as Wales, and if so,
0:41:15 > 0:41:21is your position any more credible than Jeremy Corbyn's?
0:41:21 > 0:41:24The UK has far more physical tools available to it than the Welsh
0:41:24 > 0:41:26government in terms of the way in which it can borrow,
0:41:26 > 0:41:28in terms of taxation policies available to it,
0:41:28 > 0:41:31we know that...
0:41:31 > 0:41:34We know your party that you said over on that side
0:41:34 > 0:41:37of the chamber with, we know it will not rule out
0:41:37 > 0:41:39a rise in income tax, I appreciate that honesty,
0:41:39 > 0:41:42but I think it is right to say that even the Conservative Party
0:41:42 > 0:41:44is considering increasing income taxes in order to provide more
0:41:45 > 0:41:49money the public purse.
0:41:49 > 0:41:52They've been asked several times to rule it out and several times it
0:41:52 > 0:41:59has not been ruled out.
0:41:59 > 0:42:00Borrowing for infrastructure investment is important,
0:42:00 > 0:42:10it must be prudent, it must be affordable, what is affordable
0:42:10 > 0:42:13is many times more than what is affordable for Wales
0:42:13 > 0:42:15because of the tools at the UK's disposal
0:42:15 > 0:42:16and its ability to raise money.
0:42:16 > 0:42:19Was done in the 40s, when situation was far worse than this,
0:42:19 > 0:42:22the infrastructure was rebuilt, the UK got back on its feet,
0:42:22 > 0:42:25if it can be done in the 40s, when borrowing rates were higher,
0:42:25 > 0:42:29why is it so unreasonable to say it cannot be done now?
0:42:29 > 0:42:33What assessment has the First Minister made the impact
0:42:33 > 0:42:36of trade union 2016, coming into force
0:42:36 > 0:42:39in March this year.
0:42:39 > 0:42:42Our assessment of the trade union act is that it risks undermining
0:42:42 > 0:42:48public services and the economy and it is dangerous and damaging.
0:42:48 > 0:42:51I thank you for the answer, I share your opinion.
0:42:51 > 0:42:54Do you agree that by forcing public sector employees to publish
0:42:54 > 0:43:03information on facility time, time taken off work
0:43:03 > 0:43:13from work duties,
0:43:14 > 0:43:16we can their rights and their working conditions,
0:43:16 > 0:43:19and what First Minister is the Welsh government doing to help protect
0:43:19 > 0:43:24workers' rights across Wales?
0:43:24 > 0:43:26We of course have taken forward legislation in this
0:43:26 > 0:43:29Assembly to do just that, in areas we believe our devolved,
0:43:29 > 0:43:33it is a bureaucratic imposition, on public sector employers
0:43:33 > 0:43:36that they have to do this, it is not something the private
0:43:36 > 0:43:40sector is required to do, also,
0:43:40 > 0:43:43it seems to indicate somehow the current UK Government sees
0:43:43 > 0:43:47public sector workers as somehow not as good as those
0:43:47 > 0:43:50in the private sector, that seems to be what they are saying somehow,
0:43:50 > 0:43:52they are spending all their time,
0:43:52 > 0:43:54facilities time, not doing real work, that is not the case,
0:43:54 > 0:43:59huge amounts of work goes into the public sector.
0:43:59 > 0:44:08That is why, this legislation was so unnecessary.
0:44:09 > 0:44:18What other was government plans for making Wales a fair work nation?
0:44:18 > 0:44:20I'm in discussion with social partners, so that
0:44:20 > 0:44:21more people have access
0:44:21 > 0:44:24to good work and secure income, today I'm working with social
0:44:24 > 0:44:25partners, to establish the establishment of
0:44:25 > 0:44:28a fair work commission.
0:44:28 > 0:44:31He made this announcement in his Labour Party conference
0:44:31 > 0:44:34speech back in the spring, and it is disappointing given
0:44:34 > 0:44:37developments at UK level that this commission has not been established.
0:44:37 > 0:44:40According to the most recent data I have been able to find,
0:44:40 > 0:44:43Wales is among the least fair nations in terms of work in these
0:44:43 > 0:44:45islands, 45,000 people classed as being low paid self-employed,
0:44:45 > 0:44:5360% of temporary workers want to become or get
0:44:53 > 0:44:59permanent jobs, 42,000 people are on zero hours contract.
0:44:59 > 0:45:07When he eventually gets round to establishing
0:45:07 > 0:45:09a fair work commission, can he deliver a commitment that
0:45:09 > 0:45:12part of the terms of reference will be to review all previous
0:45:12 > 0:45:14and current trade union legislation is related to devolved areas
0:45:14 > 0:45:17so that we Wales can take the spirit that the government has shown
0:45:17 > 0:45:20in raising to the 2016 trade union Bill, and amend all aggressive
0:45:20 > 0:45:23anti-trade union legislation.
0:45:23 > 0:45:26I would not like to prejudge the discussion tomorrow,
0:45:26 > 0:45:30but I take on board one he has said, it is hugely important that we get
0:45:30 > 0:45:34support and buy in from all sectors of industry as we look at fair work.
0:45:34 > 0:45:38In addition to working with social partners I have already asked
0:45:38 > 0:45:41the public policy to undertake work, specifically in terms
0:45:41 > 0:45:45of defining what fair work is.
0:45:45 > 0:45:49We have an idea of what it looks like, but it is important to define
0:45:49 > 0:45:51it as strongly as possible in order for the commission's
0:45:51 > 0:45:52work to be effective.
0:45:52 > 0:45:54STUDIO: That was this afternoon's First Minister's Questions,
0:45:54 > 0:46:01if you want more coverage of the National Assembly,
0:46:01 > 0:46:11go to the website.