:00:25. > :00:30.Welcome to the programme. We will see how refreshed our politicians
:00:30. > :00:38.are after a week away from Cardiff Bay in a moment. We will take our
:00:38. > :00:43.usual look at Prime Minister -- a First Minister's questions. Feel
:00:43. > :00:53.free to get in touch with us while we are on air. You can do that by a
:00:53. > :00:54.
:00:54. > :01:02.Business in the Chamber is already underway it so we will take away at
:01:02. > :01:05.today's questions to the First Minister.
:01:05. > :01:14.Will the First Minister make a statement on training doctors in
:01:14. > :01:21.the NHS? Medical education Wales ensures that doctors are
:01:21. > :01:28.appropriately trained to deliver services in the future. Wales has a
:01:28. > :01:36.1.5 medical colleges in Cardiff and Swansea. There is quite a difficult
:01:36. > :01:41.recruitment problem in parts of Wales. North Wales Health Board has
:01:42. > :01:45.the intention of creating a Medical College in north Wales with links
:01:46. > :01:49.with the University of Bangor. The education minister and former
:01:49. > :01:55.health minister has declared support for that intention in the
:01:55. > :02:01.past. Is that still part of the current government's policy?
:02:01. > :02:06.Meetings have been held to discuss the proposals on the table in terms
:02:06. > :02:13.of Bangor. There was a meeting in September on this and there will be
:02:13. > :02:18.another meeting at the start of next month. You will know the
:02:18. > :02:23.report from the British Medical Association that there are some 400
:02:23. > :02:29.vacant doctor posts in Wales. That is of great concern. I also note
:02:29. > :02:32.that there is an increase in waiting times for patients. We are
:02:32. > :02:37.going to launch a recruitment campaign for doctors in Wales. It
:02:37. > :02:40.is clear through meeting -- speaking to members of the Medical
:02:40. > :02:43.profession that preconceptions need to be addressed. We want to ensure
:02:43. > :02:48.that Wales is seen as the right place to come for doctors to
:02:48. > :02:57.develop their careers. More details regarding that campaign will be
:02:57. > :03:00.made known in the very near future. The Royal Glamorgan Hospital in my
:03:00. > :03:05.constituency has experienced many of these recruitment difficulties
:03:05. > :03:10.and have attempted to adopt a global approach to recruit doctors.
:03:10. > :03:14.They are also changing the mixed economy mode of middle-ranking
:03:14. > :03:20.doctors and more skilled nurse practitioners. Could you issue a
:03:20. > :03:22.statement as to how the Welsh Government will ensure that Welsh
:03:22. > :03:28.accident and emergency departments will be supported in recruitment
:03:29. > :03:38.training? You make an important point. It is not just about doctors,
:03:39. > :03:39.
:03:39. > :03:48.it is about the wider workforce. It is important that A&E services are
:03:48. > :03:55.configured properly. But it is also important that those services will
:03:55. > :04:04.only be attended during emergency services rather than the out-of-
:04:04. > :04:08.hours services of local GP offices. Will be First Minister have a
:04:08. > :04:12.discussion with the Wales Deanery about his proposal to close in
:04:12. > :04:16.March next year be generic curriculum training programme for
:04:16. > :04:22.doctors' training and Wales? This training includes of Medical Ethics,
:04:22. > :04:26.communication, which is essential for all doctors, and the law.
:04:26. > :04:33.Doctors' training in Wales we lose the expertise they will gain from
:04:33. > :04:36.that course. We are currently looking and reviewing all of the
:04:36. > :04:45.course's the deanery of funds from our budget allocation. We are
:04:45. > :04:50.looking at other options. Will be First Minister outlined the Welsh
:04:50. > :04:54.Government's plans for regenerating towns in North Wales? The work on
:04:54. > :04:58.regenerating towns on -- in North Wales is undertaken by the Welsh
:04:58. > :05:06.Government through the strategically focused multi-million
:05:06. > :05:13.pound North Wales Regeneration Area Programme. Thank you. You will be
:05:13. > :05:17.aware that there are a number of experience -- examples were
:05:17. > :05:20.indigenous families have suffered and had to close as a result of the
:05:20. > :05:25.development of supermarkets on the outskirts of the towns. There are a
:05:25. > :05:28.number of other towns facing possible planning applications in
:05:28. > :05:33.the near future. Could I ask whether the Welsh Government will
:05:33. > :05:38.be willing to consider introducing ways of safeguarding the interests
:05:38. > :05:44.of those businesses in town centres in the face of out-of-town
:05:44. > :05:51.developments and bringing forward the Planning Bill? Of course we
:05:51. > :05:54.will be carrying out an assessment on the impact of any large
:05:54. > :05:59.supermarket out soured the town at all in the centre of the town
:05:59. > :06:04.itself. I would wait for any local -- expect any local authority to
:06:04. > :06:11.look at that first before allowing supermarkets to be built on the
:06:11. > :06:14.outskirts of town. The concept of a knowledge corridor along the A 55
:06:14. > :06:19.is something that politicians in the private and public sectors have
:06:19. > :06:23.long been working to achieve. What methods are the Welsh Government
:06:23. > :06:30.making to realise this and to boost value-added industries in North
:06:30. > :06:36.Wales? There will be two enterprise zones in the north that will
:06:36. > :06:40.concentrate on energy related industries. We remained open to
:06:40. > :06:45.other proposals for enterprise zones as well. There are other
:06:45. > :06:54.projects being developed with institutions such as universities,
:06:54. > :07:02.and of course we are supporting a college to deliver a training
:07:02. > :07:05.centre. Latest research from the Forum of Private businesses,
:07:05. > :07:11.members will know that more needs to be done to help small firms to
:07:11. > :07:14.tackle high business costs. How do you respond to the report they came
:07:14. > :07:18.out last tee -- last week which says that new shops on our high
:07:18. > :07:22.streets should receive the same business rates treatments as
:07:22. > :07:27.charity shops? We know there is a cost to any change in the business
:07:27. > :07:33.rate regime. It is absolutely crucial that when the retail
:07:33. > :07:39.businesses begin, they are viable. That is the test of ensuring that
:07:39. > :07:42.that business has a future. We already have a scheme for small
:07:42. > :07:52.businesses. We are committed to continuing that until September
:07:52. > :07:53.
:07:53. > :07:56.next year. A review is taking place with regards to that. May I endorse
:07:56. > :08:01.the statement that there are a number of towns in North Wales at
:08:01. > :08:04.present that are under siege by supermarkets and I believe that you
:08:04. > :08:08.as a government should consider whether it is possible to
:08:08. > :08:14.strengthen the present situation as regards the Planning Bill that will
:08:14. > :08:20.be coming before us next year? Built isn't the appropriate tool
:08:20. > :08:25.here, but planned guidance. I have to say that this is a decision for
:08:25. > :08:33.local authorities and it is up to them to give permission for any
:08:33. > :08:37.supermarket. Now questions from the party leaders. We have agreed
:08:37. > :08:42.across this Tabor about bringing forward capital spending is one way
:08:42. > :08:47.that we can stimulate the economy. -- across this Chamber. Given that
:08:47. > :08:51.we have dire economic news, particularly with GDP figures being
:08:51. > :08:55.published today, it is about time that we had some capital projects
:08:55. > :09:01.on this government. Why is it that in the three areas, health,
:09:01. > :09:06.education and transport, all capital projects are on hold?
:09:06. > :09:11.capital projects are not on hold. There are many health capital
:09:11. > :09:17.projects that are still moving forward. It is also the case that
:09:17. > :09:21.discussions are taking place between the parties as to how the
:09:21. > :09:26.�38.9 million project might be used to stimulate the economy in the
:09:26. > :09:29.future. It is obvious that you have not read the evidence given by your
:09:29. > :09:34.own ministers to each committee in the last few weeks. Let me tell you
:09:34. > :09:39.what the health minister said. He said, decisions on the strategic
:09:39. > :09:42.health care, capital expenditure, are on hold. Her words, while
:09:42. > :09:47.health care service plans are being developed. The Transport Minister
:09:47. > :09:51.told his committee that there will be no transport projects announced
:09:51. > :09:55.because he is we prioritising all the schemes. The Education Minister
:09:55. > :09:59.appeared before his committee and the early announcement he made were
:09:59. > :10:06.the announcements made by the previous government in March 2011.
:10:06. > :10:13.Can you point out to me since your election, name me one capital
:10:13. > :10:16.project that started from you? There are substantial capital
:10:16. > :10:20.projects continuing in the field of health particularly. We have
:10:20. > :10:25.committed to continuing with substantial capital projects even
:10:25. > :10:30.as we see our budgets squeezed by 40 % over the course of the next
:10:30. > :10:37.three years. That much is correct. Suggesting that all cattle products
:10:37. > :10:41.are on hold is simply not true. -- capital projects. The question I
:10:41. > :10:45.asked to was are they new capital projects being brought forward? You
:10:45. > :10:50.have been unable to give me a single example of one capital
:10:50. > :10:54.project that your government has announced since May. Not a single
:10:54. > :10:59.one. I challenge you to tell me whether there has been one. Going
:10:59. > :11:03.to accept that your delay in bringing forward capital projects
:11:03. > :11:06.is undermining your case in discussing this with the UK
:11:06. > :11:10.government? If you are asking them to bring forward capital
:11:10. > :11:14.expenditure, they can save you have not started a single capital
:11:14. > :11:19.project since you have been re- elected? Isn't it time that you got
:11:20. > :11:24.a grip? There are plenty of capital projects we would like to take
:11:24. > :11:30.forward if we have the money. As the leader of Plaid Cymru nose, I
:11:30. > :11:35.will repeat this again, the money I mentioned, the �39 million, can be
:11:35. > :11:40.used for capital projects. We are discussing this on a cross-party
:11:40. > :11:46.basis. There are so scared -- suggestions as to how that money
:11:46. > :11:52.can be used and he will discover that in time. Leader of the
:11:52. > :11:56.opposition. One of the things that the government is able to help
:11:56. > :12:02.economic activity is at the its pure current -- procurement
:12:02. > :12:06.processes. There is nothing in the economic renewal programme to
:12:06. > :12:11.assist economic development and also procurement from the
:12:11. > :12:16.government via the public procurement process. Given their
:12:16. > :12:20.figures and your figures about say that it costs �20 million for many
:12:20. > :12:22.businesses just to get on the starting blocks for the public
:12:22. > :12:26.sector procurement process, don't you think there is much more that
:12:26. > :12:32.can be done by the government to assist companies to be able to be
:12:32. > :12:37.in Labour's to bid for contracts? The �20 million is your figure that
:12:37. > :12:42.it costs businesses to get in the qualification round. I'm not sure
:12:42. > :12:45.where the figure for �20 million per business comes from in terms of
:12:45. > :12:49.getting into pre-qualification contracts. It is right to say that
:12:49. > :12:53.we will continue to help small businesses to be in a position
:12:53. > :12:56.where they can bid for contracts. If you look at the procurement that
:12:56. > :13:02.is taking place of many small businesses, the bid for the larger
:13:02. > :13:12.contracts, given the fact that they were too small to bid for, was
:13:12. > :13:16.
:13:16. > :13:21.particularly true in the food industry. I did not say per
:13:21. > :13:25.businesses -- pro-business, I said businesses. If you look at the
:13:25. > :13:29.Institute of Directors, there is an intense frustration around the
:13:29. > :13:34.aspect of procurement. If you look at the CBI Commons, Wells has a
:13:34. > :13:38.growing reputation as one of the most difficult places in the United
:13:38. > :13:42.Kingdom for public procurement so. Your own document says, with some
:13:42. > :13:46.exceptions, the Welsh public sector does not engage particularly well
:13:46. > :13:51.with the supply base. That is your own government document. The not
:13:51. > :13:55.think that in these times of economic worries, but there is more
:13:55. > :14:00.that the government can be doing to facilitate greater access to public
:14:00. > :14:06.procurement for many small and medium-sized businesses in Wales
:14:06. > :14:09.when you look at the pre-qualifying costs to businesses and the quotes
:14:09. > :14:12.from business representatives across Wales, and indeed your own
:14:12. > :14:16.government's observations on the initiatives that you have brought
:14:16. > :14:21.forward. There are many good examples of how procurement has
:14:21. > :14:23.been improved in terms of the access small and medium-sized
:14:23. > :14:28.enterprises have to those contracts. We continue to work with all parts
:14:28. > :14:32.of the public sector to make sure that that access improves. It is
:14:32. > :14:36.right to say that local authorities have a very good record indeed in
:14:36. > :14:45.terms of procuring locally. It is important that the other local
:14:45. > :14:48.authorities learn from them. Leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats.
:14:48. > :14:53.Last week, at the health committee, the Health Minister did state that
:14:53. > :14:57.a whole series of investment projects which were announced just
:14:57. > :15:02.before May's elections were now on stop. There could you tell us which
:15:02. > :15:06.one of those projects are at risk? Non-. The projects that have been
:15:06. > :15:09.announced are being taken for. There are some that will need to be
:15:09. > :15:14.re-examined, but most of the products have that have been
:15:14. > :15:19.announced will be taken forward. would be interested to hear which
:15:19. > :15:24.ones of those projects announced just prior to that election your
:15:25. > :15:29.government now intends to re- examine? Will then health minister,
:15:29. > :15:33.making the announcement of an extra �2 million in capital funding, said
:15:33. > :15:37.but you were maintaining your investment over the next three
:15:37. > :15:43.years despite the impact of the UK government's caps to the Welsh
:15:43. > :15:46.budget. What she misleading the public, all we have guaranteed
:15:46. > :15:56.today that every one of those projects announced just weeks
:15:56. > :16:00.before the Assembly elections will It is not our intention to stop any
:16:00. > :16:03.projects in the health service. As I have said several times, we are
:16:03. > :16:08.committed to continuing with the programme because we know how
:16:08. > :16:13.important that is. Contrast that, for example, with the substantial
:16:13. > :16:17.reduction in funding securing under the Conservatives and Lib Dems
:16:17. > :16:20.across the border. The reality is, First Minister, and I would urge
:16:20. > :16:24.you to read the transcript of the health committee meeting to find
:16:24. > :16:27.out exactly what your Health Minister said, you would also note
:16:27. > :16:33.that a senior official in the health department said, and I quote,
:16:33. > :16:37.I suspect it is very unlikely that the whole plan is to be torn up.
:16:37. > :16:46.Many people will not find that very reassuring. Which part of the plan
:16:46. > :16:51.is not going to be torn up? E Investment in Newport? The
:16:51. > :16:57.Investment announced just before the election in Morriston or the
:16:57. > :17:00.Investment elsewhere announced just before the election? The Labour
:17:01. > :17:05.Party promised that they would get a delivery on those projects. Will
:17:05. > :17:09.you commit here and now that it one of them will go ahead? None of
:17:09. > :17:13.those projects are scheduled to be stopped in any way. We recognise
:17:13. > :17:18.how important it is that week seek capital investment in the health
:17:18. > :17:21.service. We stand by what we said before the election, unlike your
:17:21. > :17:27.party, who before the general election promised all manner of
:17:27. > :17:30.things and then completely caved in. Question 3. For the First Minister
:17:30. > :17:35.make a statement on the encouragement provided by public
:17:35. > :17:39.sector bodies for the expansion of credit union membership in Wales?
:17:39. > :17:43.Public sector organisations in Wales, including the Government,
:17:43. > :17:46.support was credit unions. We know mostly they provide a tremendous
:17:46. > :17:55.service for many individuals and communities who otherwise would
:17:55. > :17:58.have no access to formal credit. Since you last answered questions
:17:58. > :18:04.here, international creditDay has been celebrated in many different
:18:04. > :18:08.parts of Wales and part of that celebration is to draw more people
:18:08. > :18:11.into credit unions, especially at a time when fair and affordable
:18:11. > :18:16.credit is ever more important. Public sector organisations have a
:18:16. > :18:23.leading role to play in extending that opportunity to their workers,
:18:23. > :18:26.and as well as encouraging them to Lough Erne -- offer that the
:18:26. > :18:29.facility, where the also encourage them to do those small but
:18:29. > :18:33.important things they are able to do to advertise, encourage and
:18:33. > :18:39.promote credit union membership amongst their employees? Yes, we
:18:39. > :18:43.know that, for example, trade unions are excellent Net works. We
:18:43. > :18:48.know there are many employers moving forward with increasing
:18:48. > :18:52.credit union membership among their employees. We have looked to
:18:52. > :18:57.support those initiatives. We have worked, for example, with the TUC,
:18:57. > :19:05.to promote credit unions through training events and their networks
:19:05. > :19:09.and reps. First Minister, I would concur with many comments made
:19:09. > :19:14.about the positive aspects of credit unions. I did not know it
:19:14. > :19:18.was national year in rent -- national credit union day. My party,
:19:18. > :19:25.in advance of the elections, said that we wanted to support credit
:19:25. > :19:28.unions through post offices, to get a far greater link fostered between
:19:28. > :19:37.post offices and credit unions, which would be retreat beneficial
:19:37. > :19:42.to both. Casti, -- can I asked you, what your Government is doing not
:19:42. > :19:44.just to promote credit unions but to ensure that in rural communities,
:19:44. > :19:48.particularly post offices are playing a far bigger role in
:19:48. > :19:54.supporting them? We have taken forward a number of initiatives to
:19:54. > :19:59.support credit unions, for example, the Minister for Local Government
:19:59. > :20:03.and communities is promoting credit union membership using pay roll
:20:03. > :20:06.deduction. We have actively supported credit unions to broaden
:20:06. > :20:10.their membership base by helping them to develop a range of services
:20:10. > :20:17.they can offer, such as basic bank accounts and pre-payment debit
:20:17. > :20:22.cards. With the greatest of respect, I do not accept that. The three-
:20:22. > :20:26.year action plan was launched in December 2010, that said the credit
:20:26. > :20:29.unions will achieve some sustainability by the year 2013,
:20:29. > :20:32.but how will these actually be achieved, because as in most
:20:32. > :20:38.policies from this Government, you have not actually spelled it out.
:20:38. > :20:40.It is fine talk but it is all talk and no action. Direct financial
:20:40. > :20:44.support from the Welsh Government and European Regional Development
:20:44. > :20:51.Fund to improve the longer term sustainability and financial
:20:51. > :20:57.viability of credit unions, amounting to a substantial
:20:57. > :21:02.investment and action over the next few years. The Swansea credit union
:21:02. > :21:07.are currently working on developing a sure-fire loan product, or an
:21:07. > :21:10.ethical loan product, which they are hoping to introduce in their
:21:10. > :21:14.area, but to do that they will need direct Government support in terms
:21:14. > :21:19.of actually developing that product and getting it to the state where
:21:19. > :21:23.they can actually introduce it. Can I ask whether you would consider a
:21:23. > :21:28.request from the credit union to provide funding to get his product
:21:28. > :21:33.onto the market? I will consider any such request. I will give it
:21:33. > :21:37.due consideration when it is received. Cardiff credit union is
:21:37. > :21:41.experiencing difficulty recruiting companies and individuals from the
:21:41. > :21:46.private sector, amongst whom there will be some of the very lowest
:21:46. > :21:50.paid in the country. I wondered what the Welsh Government can do to
:21:50. > :21:55.ensure that credit unions are are offered to people who most need
:21:55. > :21:58.them, so they are not falling into the hands of loan sharks.
:21:58. > :22:01.provide business support to budge credit unions through the Social
:22:01. > :22:04.Investment business and a key action for that over the next few
:22:04. > :22:10.years will be to raise the profile of credit unions so more people are
:22:10. > :22:16.made aware there are alternatives, to high-caste lenders and the legal
:22:16. > :22:20.and registered many lenders they sometimes see in their communities.
:22:20. > :22:25.What is the worst Government doing to improve the lives of people in
:22:25. > :22:31.Aberavon? We are acting to make a real difference. As set out in our
:22:31. > :22:36.programme for Government. I should point out there are many facets to
:22:36. > :22:41.this but on this occasion I want to focus on just jobs and the economy.
:22:41. > :22:46.Particularly in light of the reason UK Growth figures of 0.3 %, I am
:22:46. > :22:48.sure you will agree that is important that as well as creating
:22:48. > :22:54.new jobs we support existing businesses to maintain their jobs
:22:54. > :22:59.and therefore, can you tell me whether you will be meeting with
:22:59. > :23:03.the Chancellor and the UK -- the other UK ministers to discuss the
:23:03. > :23:08.carbon tax, as we know it, and do you agree with the CBI that it
:23:08. > :23:15.should be exempt for energy heavy industries such as Tata Steel, so
:23:15. > :23:19.that the advantages are taken away? There is no doubt whatsoever that
:23:19. > :23:23.the high costs are a deterrent to investment. We are finding this
:23:23. > :23:28.time and time again when we are looking for investment
:23:28. > :23:32.opportunities from abroad. Energy is an expensive here. I can say
:23:32. > :23:36.that following an announcement on 23rd March of a unilateral carbon
:23:36. > :23:41.floor price, I wrote to the Secretary of State for Business
:23:41. > :23:43.innovation and stills, that letter was copied, in his response, the
:23:43. > :23:48.business, innovation and skills Secretary stated that the UK
:23:48. > :23:52.Government would consider a package of measures to reduce the impact of
:23:52. > :23:55.energy and climate change policies on these industries that are energy
:23:55. > :24:03.intensive, including the steel industry, and now we wait to see
:24:03. > :24:07.what happens. Good local transport links would help the economy in
:24:07. > :24:16.Aberavon so I wondered, are you able to give us an update on a
:24:16. > :24:22.current project, namely the M4 relief road in Port Talbot? These
:24:22. > :24:28.road is -- of the road is not really describe as that. There are
:24:28. > :24:30.no reasons to believe that that project is not following its
:24:31. > :24:36.timetable but the other point is that there is substantial
:24:36. > :24:40.investments now that is going to be made in Port Talbot Parkway station
:24:40. > :24:44.which is no less than the people of Port Talbot deserve.
:24:44. > :24:51.TRANSLATION: thank you. Following on from that question, as the
:24:51. > :24:55.Government considered developing businesses around the road for the
:24:55. > :24:58.future, as Port Talbot is not part of the enterprise of initiative put
:24:58. > :25:03.forward by the Government. I wonder if there are any other plans to
:25:03. > :25:12.bring additional jobs to the industrialised areas which has a
:25:12. > :25:14.great deal of expertise contained within it? Of course we want to see
:25:15. > :25:19.the new road giving the local economy a boost and assisting in
:25:19. > :25:25.bringing in more businesses into the industrial estate close to that
:25:25. > :25:28.road. Will the First Minister make a statement on the Welsh
:25:28. > :25:31.Government's powers of compulsory purchase and also on have
:25:31. > :25:35.frequently those powers have been exercised in the last few years?
:25:35. > :25:39.Yes, we have the power to compulsorily purchase land or
:25:39. > :25:43.property necessary for proposed development which is considered to
:25:43. > :25:49.provide public better it. In the last four years these powers have
:25:49. > :25:53.been exercised on 18 occasions. Since the Welsh Government acquired
:25:53. > :25:56.its compulsory purchase powers, following the demise of the Land
:25:56. > :26:01.Authority, and subsequently the Welsh Development Agency, there has
:26:01. > :26:04.been a growing perception that compulsory purchase orders to have
:26:04. > :26:07.been under-exploited. This, combined with the relative risk
:26:07. > :26:11.aversion of local authorities in Wales, has had unfortunate
:26:11. > :26:14.consequences for many of our communities. Well the First
:26:14. > :26:17.Minister please confirm the readiness of the Government to work
:26:17. > :26:22.in partnership with local authorities to progress compulsory
:26:22. > :26:26.purchase where it is necessary to combat dereliction and to promote
:26:26. > :26:30.regeneration across Wales? Absolute. I am not sure of any evidence that
:26:30. > :26:34.the powers are being and used in any way. The powers exist for a
:26:34. > :26:42.reason, to ensure the land is brought into public use fully
:26:42. > :26:48.benefit of the community. These powers are indeed a useful tool in
:26:48. > :26:51.the box for local authorities to be able to take over dilapidated
:26:51. > :26:56.properties and various areas of land. Is it not a fact that his
:26:56. > :26:59.power actually did play better with the Welsh Development Agency at the
:26:59. > :27:04.time and that you have failed to actually NPower authorities to use
:27:04. > :27:08.his power? Would you not agree that there is no use having the stool
:27:08. > :27:11.without the resources to implement these purchases, and what steps are
:27:11. > :27:15.you taking to ensure that these powers can and will be used
:27:15. > :27:25.effectively? Given by you have produced no evidence at all to
:27:25. > :27:27.
:27:27. > :27:30.support your argument, I have to agree -- disagree with you.
:27:31. > :27:36.Question six, Christine Chapman. What is the worst Government doing
:27:36. > :27:43.to improve opportunities for people in the Cynon Valley. As in the rest
:27:43. > :27:48.of Wales, we have implemented are employability programme in August.
:27:48. > :27:51.I know you will share my concern at the continuing bad news regarding
:27:51. > :27:56.youth unemployment and its practical and psychological effects.
:27:56. > :27:59.I do welcome the creation of jobs growth Wales and the end as much of
:27:59. > :28:02.the other measures recently outlined by your Government. Do you
:28:02. > :28:07.agree with me that they will go some way to repairing the damage
:28:07. > :28:13.done by the UK Government's callous axing of the Future Jobs Fund,
:28:13. > :28:19.which seems intent on condemning a generation of our young people?
:28:19. > :28:24.Youth unemployment is a price work -- worth paying. A price worth
:28:24. > :28:28.paying for the party opposite. We saw that in the 1980s. We have
:28:28. > :28:34.introduced programmes for 16 to 18 and euros steps to implement for
:28:34. > :28:39.adults who are $18. Presiding Officer, First Minister,
:28:39. > :28:42.unemployment is a major concern for many people and as we look forward,
:28:42. > :28:46.there are many initiatives that have been taught about in the South
:28:46. > :28:49.Wales economy, one of them being the South Wales met Christine. What
:28:49. > :28:53.assistance has the Welsh -- is the worst Government giving to
:28:53. > :29:00.developing the business case for this metro scheme so that it can be
:29:00. > :29:04.either taken forward ball rolled out? -- the Welsh Government.
:29:04. > :29:08.a matter for the Department of Transport, not the Welsh Government.
:29:08. > :29:15.But we will assist the Department of Transport to ensure the case is
:29:15. > :29:19.taken for would favourably. constituency has one of the lowest
:29:19. > :29:23.rates of economic activity in the whole of Wales and this problem is
:29:23. > :29:29.more acute for all young people. Lack of jobs and apprenticeships is
:29:29. > :29:33.making the situation many -- a very gloomy for many school leavers in
:29:33. > :29:38.the Cynon Valley and it will become more acute if the recommendations
:29:38. > :29:45.are implemented and support for a re employ factories is withdrawn
:29:45. > :29:50.throughout Wales. Around 50 people are employed in that factory. Do
:29:50. > :29:55.you support the principle of Supported Employment, and of what
:29:55. > :29:58.are you in a position to offer those workers, not just in my
:29:58. > :30:01.constituency but across the whole of Wales, who are extremely worried
:30:01. > :30:05.for the future of their livelihoods? The answer to your
:30:05. > :30:09.question is yes, of course. I have raised the issue with the Secretary
:30:09. > :30:16.of State as I said I would. I have raised the issue of whether the
:30:16. > :30:19.Budget should be devolved to, as I explained I would do. The education
:30:19. > :30:25.minister is at present looking at the issue of re-employ. He will
:30:25. > :30:31.issue a statement in the near future.
:30:31. > :30:34.TRANSLATION: Will the First Minister outline his priorities,
:30:35. > :30:40.please, for improving transport infrastructure in Wales? Yes, they
:30:40. > :30:43.will be contained in the national transport plan. First Minister, I
:30:43. > :30:46.visited the Community Transport Association at their base in
:30:46. > :30:51.Swansea this week and saw first- hand the excellent work that they
:30:51. > :30:54.do and the essential services they provide. The Community Transport
:30:54. > :30:59.Association and their partners are essential to plug the gaps in
:30:59. > :31:03.public transport and deliver for the most vulnerable in society.
:31:03. > :31:05.When you committed to ensure this sector is recognised in any future
:31:05. > :31:14.plans for borough transport in Wales, because without it we will
:31:15. > :31:24.never have a fully integrated transport system? Yes, and I spoke
:31:25. > :31:27.
:31:27. > :31:36.TRANSLATION: De you think that it is acceptable but ministers in your
:31:36. > :31:41.transport department abolished the to the 10 daily services between
:31:41. > :31:45.villages, and to do that without any consultation without anyone in
:31:45. > :31:53.either of those villages? TRANSLATION: If that has happened,
:31:53. > :31:58.write to me and I will look at it. You will be aware of the long-
:31:58. > :32:02.running history of traffic congestion which is making life
:32:02. > :32:06.difficult for residents. It is a stumbling block for the further
:32:06. > :32:10.economic generation of the area. Will the world government consider
:32:11. > :32:15.revising plans for the second phase of the distributor road? What is
:32:15. > :32:18.needed is for the transport consortium are switched to identify
:32:18. > :32:27.a face two of the distributor road as their priority and to include it
:32:27. > :32:31.in their bid. I am sure that the First Minister is aware that many
:32:31. > :32:34.members agree with and identified the economic, social and
:32:34. > :32:38.environmental benefits of delivering high quality and high
:32:38. > :32:43.capacity transport in Wales. Can he provide an update on where the
:32:43. > :32:46.Welsh Government it with its proposal to secure the necessary
:32:46. > :32:52.investment for the Department of Transport to deliver a
:32:52. > :33:02.electrification? As I mentioned earlier, we hope that a business
:33:02. > :33:03.
:33:03. > :33:12.case will be prepared by the end of I would like the opportunity to
:33:12. > :33:21.show you the extent to which the its -- Glamorgan's position as an
:33:21. > :33:28.economic hub is hampered by the transport. The year and be
:33:28. > :33:33.responsible ministers want to take me up on the offer? I am grateful
:33:33. > :33:40.for the offer, but I know that my friend and colleague has showed me
:33:40. > :33:44.around many parts of the veil over the years. It is an area very well.
:33:44. > :33:49.I was at the airport on Sunday, picking my family up, and I know
:33:49. > :33:56.the roads very well. We are looking at the access issues, but bear in
:33:56. > :34:00.mind that the Glamorgan railway was approved by a Labour minister. It
:34:00. > :34:04.is exceptionally important and effective. We look forward to a
:34:04. > :34:11.time when those trains can be made more frequent as they travel to
:34:11. > :34:17.Bridgend and Cardiff. Will the First Minister outlined the was
:34:18. > :34:24.government's policy on effective waste management? Our policies are
:34:24. > :34:27.set out to zero waste. You will note the decision not to proceed
:34:27. > :34:33.with the waste scheme, but what has -- what progress has your
:34:33. > :34:37.government made to effectively give instructions for recommendations to
:34:37. > :34:43.local authorities regarding similar schemes? The reality is that
:34:43. > :34:48.residual waste has to be dealt with somehow. Landfill sites are now
:34:48. > :34:55.becoming more and more difficult to use, and difficult to open in the
:34:55. > :34:59.future. We have committed to 70 % recycling by 2025. We wish to be a
:34:59. > :35:05.zero waste nation by 2050, but in the meantime, there will need to be
:35:05. > :35:11.ways of dealing with waste. That is for local authorities to consider
:35:11. > :35:15.what the defective weights -- ways of. Cardiff council has improved
:35:15. > :35:19.recycling levels this year, but it still has a way to go to reach the
:35:19. > :35:22.Wales average. What can the Welsh Government do to support local
:35:22. > :35:27.authorities and held them to learn from each other in terms of
:35:27. > :35:31.improving recycling? I mentioned the target early on, but to help
:35:31. > :35:34.local authorities achieve them, we provide a sustainable waste
:35:34. > :35:44.management grant on an annual basis to local authorities in Wales. This
:35:44. > :35:54.
:35:55. > :36:01.year, we provided over �71 million. Brecon and Radnorshire finds itself
:36:01. > :36:07.jammed between the West Wales and the Valleys Initiative and the
:36:07. > :36:11.newly announced enterprise zone in Herefordshire and the Herefordshire
:36:11. > :36:17.and Shropshire European Business Enterprise Fund. Your government
:36:17. > :36:21.has announced no intention to develop an enterprise zone in the
:36:21. > :36:27.county of powers to help support the development of the economy
:36:27. > :36:32.there. Could you look again at your decision, not to put an enterprise
:36:32. > :36:37.zone there and what you can do to assist local businesses in this
:36:37. > :36:42.most raw of counties to survive and thrive during this difficult time?
:36:42. > :36:45.As I said many times before in the Chamber, we have made announcements
:36:45. > :36:50.on five enterprise zones, but we have also said that we will
:36:50. > :36:55.consider other areas as well. We are actively looking at all parts
:36:55. > :36:58.of Wales to see whether there is a merit in announcing further
:36:58. > :37:06.enterprise zones in those areas where announcements have not been
:37:06. > :37:09.made. First Minister, for the economy of Mid Wales, it is vital
:37:09. > :37:14.that there is a robust infrastructure they might in place,
:37:14. > :37:18.particularly in excellent road infrastructure. I have concerns
:37:18. > :37:21.about the new bypass project. I have written to the minister at
:37:21. > :37:24.several times expressing my concerns, but businesses and
:37:24. > :37:28.residents are frustrated about the lack of progress and the accuracy
:37:28. > :37:32.of information that is being conveyed about where the project
:37:32. > :37:36.will actually start. Can you reassure the people of Mid Wales
:37:36. > :37:40.that this project has not slipped down the government's priority list
:37:40. > :37:44.and the scheme will start as detailed in the national transport
:37:44. > :37:49.plan and as per the dates given to many constituents by letters from
:37:49. > :37:53.the Welsh Government earlier this year? Work is under way to
:37:53. > :37:58.prioritise the work in the national transport plan. I can say that
:37:58. > :38:04.preparatory work is continuing in the meantime. We will soon invite
:38:05. > :38:11.tenders for a design contract. TRANSLATION: The First Minister
:38:11. > :38:14.will be aware that many residents of Mid Wales are concerned about
:38:14. > :38:20.renewable energy developments, but some of us see an opportunity to
:38:20. > :38:23.improve and develop the Mid Wales economy through using renewable
:38:23. > :38:28.energy technology, specifically by doing two things: Ensuring that
:38:28. > :38:31.local people do get the electricity and the benefits from those
:38:31. > :38:40.developments, and secondly by establishing a wealth fund to
:38:40. > :38:48.distribute funds through -- a crude through these processes. What steps
:38:48. > :38:51.the taking to ensuring that these steps are cheap? We do promote
:38:51. > :38:57.local authorities to use the law to ensure that community fund is
:38:57. > :39:01.created for renewable energy projects under 50 megawatts. Over
:39:01. > :39:06.that, that is a matter for the United Kingdom government. But we
:39:06. > :39:14.do have a number of opportunities in Wales as regards a renewable
:39:14. > :39:19.energy. In order to create future jobs. What criteria up will be what
:39:19. > :39:23.criteria -- government used when deciding whether to produce White
:39:23. > :39:28.or Green papers prior to legislation? We will consult on all
:39:28. > :39:32.legislation prior to introduction. We would decide what method to use
:39:32. > :39:35.on a case-by-case basis. Let me welcome the fact that the
:39:35. > :39:38.government now publishes a legislative programme for the
:39:38. > :39:42.horror of the Assembly's life, which could be up to five years in
:39:42. > :39:47.this case. That is very welcome for the major pieces of legislation
:39:47. > :39:52.that can be anticipated. Obviously, other things will occur as need
:39:52. > :39:56.necessitates. Given that we are a small legislator dealing with a
:39:56. > :40:00.relatively small output because of the capacity issues we have, we can
:40:00. > :40:05.at least aim to get best practice into the way we deliver that
:40:05. > :40:09.legislation by allowing for planned better consultation. I wonder if
:40:09. > :40:13.publishing legislation in draft will be part of that as well as
:40:13. > :40:16.publishing White papers, or even Green papers, I think it is a good
:40:16. > :40:21.sign when a government has the confidence to say it is not quite
:40:21. > :40:26.sure, it knows it is important, but wants to examine some of the
:40:26. > :40:30.possibilities by a Green paper's first. We have made a commitment to
:40:30. > :40:36.consult prior to legislation, whether it is at the policy, why
:40:36. > :40:39.people or draft paper stage. Will be First Minister explain why out
:40:39. > :40:44.of the 20 proposed Bills to be introduced during the life of this
:40:44. > :40:48.Assembly, 13 have no specified date for a White Paper, 13 have no
:40:48. > :40:52.specified date for consultation and seven had no indication of the
:40:52. > :40:57.timescale in which the Bill will be introduced? Is this another example
:40:57. > :41:00.of the government's indecision to match intention with action?
:41:00. > :41:05.clearly has no understanding of how Westminster works because that is
:41:05. > :41:09.what happens there. We have prioritised a number of bills and
:41:09. > :41:14.given timetables. They are not yet timetabled in detail. That will be
:41:14. > :41:18.taken forward during the course of this Assembly. That is the normal
:41:18. > :41:22.practice in almost every legislator in the world.
:41:22. > :41:31.Don't forget that you can see more action from the National Assembly
:41:31. > :41:38.on BBC Wales democracy live online coverage. Just go to the website.
:41:38. > :41:42.Out of Welsh Affairs Editor is the here with us. Let's deal firstly
:41:43. > :41:52.with readers' questions. Every week, the three opposition party leaders
:41:53. > :41:53.
:41:53. > :41:58.put their questions to Carwyn Jones. I first bought Carwyn Jones and
:41:58. > :42:01.Kirsty Williams landed a few blows. They were talking about coming --
:42:01. > :42:07.the same thing but from different directions. That was the decision
:42:07. > :42:13.of the Health Department. It is to postpone a number of capital
:42:13. > :42:17.projects that had been Green light just before the election just
:42:17. > :42:20.because of the health service and policies being reviewed. Carwyn
:42:20. > :42:25.Jones attack that from the point of view of economic development,
:42:25. > :42:31.saying you are the man saying that UK government should bring forward
:42:31. > :42:35.cattle prod is. Here is your own health secretary puts burning
:42:35. > :42:38.capital projects that had been announced. Colin Jones's body-
:42:38. > :42:42.language looked as if he was disconcerted by that question.
:42:42. > :42:48.Kirsty Williams came from another angle, asking which of those
:42:48. > :42:53.projects which Labour had announced before the election, were in danger
:42:53. > :42:59.of being ditched. Carwyn Jones looked a bit unsteady on his feet
:42:59. > :43:03.in responding. I felt that when he answered Kirsty Williams, he did
:43:03. > :43:07.what he could, but then he turned it back on her by suggesting that
:43:07. > :43:13.these products might be difficult to deliver because of a cut in the
:43:13. > :43:18.capital budget. This is a consistent tactic by Carwyn Jones.
:43:18. > :43:21.He is consistently, whenever the Lib Dems speak, turning the flak
:43:21. > :43:25.back on to them and the UK government. You have to look at
:43:26. > :43:29.that in the contents of the local elections approaching. The Lib Dems
:43:29. > :43:32.have a number of seats in Wales and Labour are eyeing a lot of them. To
:43:32. > :43:37.try to box them in with the Conservatives is a consistently
:43:37. > :43:41.good... On the health theme, I mentioned earlier that the health
:43:41. > :43:44.minister is going to make a statement on how the government
:43:44. > :43:48.aims to tackle the challenge has made by the NHS in Wales later.
:43:48. > :43:52.What can you tell us about that? don't know what she will say, but I
:43:53. > :43:57.don't think it will be anything revolutionary. We know that money
:43:57. > :44:00.is tight and been cut, so some things have to change. We know that
:44:00. > :44:05.the existing government policy, including doing less in the
:44:05. > :44:10.hospital, doing more at home and in district health centres, it is most
:44:10. > :44:14.likely to be a continuation of that policy. Once again, but emphasis
:44:14. > :44:18.will be on preventive health. was a suggestion from the chair of
:44:18. > :44:23.the NHS Confederation that may be we look at treating people
:44:23. > :44:28.differently, which means closing down bedsit hospitals. The number
:44:28. > :44:32.of bedsit hospitals has dropped, and that is because not as many are
:44:32. > :44:36.needed. I don't think people worry about losing beds in hospitals,
:44:36. > :44:40.they worry about losing services from their particular district