04/03/2014 am.pm

Good afternoon. Welcome to the programme and the weekly coverage of

questions to the First Minister. We can expect lengthy discussions on

the Silk Commission report on devolution published yesterday.

Opposition parties are likely to challenge Carwyn Jones on whether or

not his party in Westminster will be supporting all of the

recommendations. What do you want to talk about? If you want to comment

on anything on the programme or any other political news, get in touch

with us via Twitter or send us an e-mail. Business in the chamber is

already under way. Let us take a look at today's questions to the

First Minister. Good afternoon. National Assembly is now in session.

The first item, questions to the First Minister. What discussions as

the Welsh treatment had with ministers in the Wales Office

recently regarding the recent flooding? I have occasional

bilaterals with the Secretary of State for Wales. After raising the

issue, I have received confirmation that there will be a consequential

for Wales should there be any additional... There is a catch.

Should there be any additional funding from HM Treasury. We are

still waiting. Thank you. Whilst we will welcome that consequential, I

was amazed that the Prime Minister could come into Wales to announce

that money would be no object for Tory constituencies hit by flooding

because that is what it amounts to. And then he promptly walked out

again without having said anything about flooding for Wales or

conditional money. I know you and your Minister and government have

worked very hard and I can hear the twitterings over the butt that is

the reality of it. I know you have worked very hard -- the twitterings

over there but that is the reality of it. Deafening silence from the

Secretary of State David Jones who constantly runs Wales down. First

Minister, will you continue as a Welsh Government to stand up for my

constituency in Wales and all of the constituents across Wales affected

by floods? What a contrast it has been between Wales and England. Many

thousands of properties flooded in England because of the cuts that

have taken place in the flooding budget. We have maintained funding

for flooding defences and many thousands of properties have been

protected as a result. It was remarkable that the people of

Somerset spent many weeks without being noticed while underwater. The

belated response from the UK Government. With the terms threaten,

it became of interest to the UK Government. Then we had the bizarre

situation of the Prime Minister coming to Pembrokeshire and

announcing there would be funding for flooding forgetting the fact

Wales not -- Wales was not included. I am sure the First Minister like me

would never cease to be amazed by the courage and determination that

community volunteers display in incidents of extensive flooding. In

that light, it has been raised by one of my constituents whether

thought had been given to establishing an organisation for

volunteers to assist in civil emergencies like the old defence

unit stood down by a former Labour government in 1968. Such

organisations exist in New Zealand, the Irish public, Australia and

Austria. -- the Irish Republic. Have you given thought to it? Would you

discuss this with UK ministers? I welcome very much the work done by

volunteers in the course of the recent bad weather that we have had

in Wales. Who could fail to commend them on their actions? I have had no

discussions with the Wales Office regarding a resignation chilly

resurrection of a body like that. I applaud all those involved in

dealing with the very difficult weather and I applaud the fact that

in Wales we were able despite the fact we had similar whether to

south-west of England, we were able to weather the storms. Flood

defences held because we put money into it. Thank you, Presiding

Officer. It is emerging there are certain councils in England eager to

amend local development plans in light of recent flooding. Perhaps in

areas where there has not been flooding in the past and where there

is development in the pipeline. What advice is your government giving to

planning authorities in Wales on the possibility, what consent can you

give to them to amend plans if there are similar examples in Wales? This

has not in part of any kind of discussion I have had with the Wales

Office, I must say. There is of course seven years ago... Ira member

it because I was the minister who brought it into force and I remember

saying at the time that it was extreme in the fact that it said it

safeguarded some parts of land that already had been built upon -- I

remember it because I was the Minister. There is now climate

change but it will be incumbent upon the authorities to follow it. Will

the First Minister make a statement on what actions the Welsh Government

is taking to improve the economy of the Valley? We are progressing

actions focusing on growth and sustainable jobs. We have a variety

of programmes to do this including the provision of the support through

Business Wales. We now of course are in a position where unemployment in

Wales is lower than England and youth unemployment in Wales is

substantially lower than in England. Thank you. I think that is certainly

very welcome news. You mentioned the youth unemployment rates declining

more quickly here. However, you will know First Minister about the

unacceptably high levels of youth unemployment in my constituency.

Four out of every ten young people are not economically active. We can

and should be proud of what the Welsh Labour government has achieved

in the face of the toughest settlement since the advent of

devolution. But how else can we help the young people back into work and

enable them to make a positive contribution to the economy of Wales

as a whole? We must remember that young people who are many not

economically active are in fact students so they are not looking for

work nor are they unemployed. Economically inactive, they are

often in that character. -- category. Two programmes have help.

Jobs growth Wales, the latest figures published last week show

that it has created 11,000 jobs opportunities and 8000 young people

have filled those jobs. It is why the rate of youth and implement is

so substantially below the UK average. People living near a 70 --

near a wind farm are being given a say on how they want to spend the

community fund. Are there any plans to enable the community to get

involved in such projects, particularly to encourage people

taking responsibility for their community and also encouraging ideas

and new businesses in the hope they may be able to reduce local

unemployment? That is to be in courage. That is why we want to

create a register of community benefits and we having courage to

wind farm projects to make sure that they make funds available. There is

a limit to how many village halls can be built and refurbished and it

is important that the community benefit is used to create employment

opportunities for young people. Questions from party leaders. First,

the leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats. Thank you. First

Minister, today the family and child care trust published their annual

childcare costs survey and it makes for some very grim reading for many

parents in Wales. First Minister, could you account for why Andrei

THEY SPEAK IN WELSH Government -- could you account for

why under a Labour government just one in five Welsh councils say they

have sufficient places for childcare? This is a matter for

local authorities. It is a matter for them to ensure that they have

places available. It is disappointing you feel your own

government does not have a stake in trying to sort this problem out for

Welsh parents. The report goes on to say that just 11% of Welsh local

authorities reported sufficient childcare provision first five to

11-year-olds are just 6% with enough provision for disabled children and

not a single was counsel reported having adequate provision for

children living in rural areas -- not a single Welsh council. Are you

sure the government does not have a role to play in making sure there

are affordable childcare places for parents across Wales across the age

ranges? Of course we work with the local authorities to do that. We

have an action plan and we know that childcare provision is extremely

important because there are so many people relying on childcare

provision to work. That is why using one example, title case macro --

Flying Start, It Has Been So Successful. Sentence Case Macro. If

we move on from woeful provision to the costs for Welsh parents.

Childcare costs are falling in real terms for the first time in 12

years. In Wales, the cost of nursery care for under twos has increased by

nearly 12%, right over twos and the cost of after-school clubs by 15%.

The reality of childcare is that even if you find a place for your

child, it is more and more difficult to afford it. You going to start

taking this seriously and help hard-working families achieve the

flexible childcare they need across the country? Two points to make. I

suspect she makes references to costs imposed by private not public

providers. We have no control over them. Secondly, I accept what she

says, childcare is an increasing issue for many people including

ourselves over the years. Particularly as we have seen a

number of creches close. Of course, it is exceptionally difficult to

achieve the level of childcare we would want given the financial

circumstances we are in. The reality is the cuts we have received over

the past three years do not allow us to have the sort of childcare

provision many members would want. We now move to the leader of the

opposition. Andrew RT Davies. Could you explain why some cardiac

patients have been referred over the bridge to Bristol to have their

treatment for cardiac problems sorted out there because the waiting

lists are so great in Wales? To get treatment sooner. That is a very

flippant answer. I take the point that they would have to be having

their treatment as quickly as possible and by commissioning that

treatment at independent hospitals on the other side of the border,

that will allow it to happen. If you look at what the Royal College of

Surgeons has said, 152 patients have died in the last five years while

waiting for cardiac surgery. In December, 2013, 183 patients had

been waiting over 36 weeks for surgery. This is the highest number

since October, 2009. The Royal College of Surgeons identified these

problems over six months ago and they are still awaiting for

substantive answers from the Health Inspectorate Wales. Do not think

that there is an apology owed on behalf of your government for the

patients kept waiting on these lists and in particular the premature

death that have been identified by the Royal College of Surgeons

because of these waiting times? I thought the answer was very clear.

Yes, 80 patients will go in for treatment this month and surgery

will be undertaken at weekends in Wales. In the long term of course,

we have a two year plan for cardiac surgery in Wales. In the meantime,

we cannot criticise others for looking at other options to deliver

service to the people who need it otherwise he would be condemning

gust for not using facilities outside Wales and making people wait

longer. Reality is that now more people will wait a shorter period of

time to get their treatment. The criticism that I was making a view

is that the ideology prevented this type of treatment being made

available far sooner and the premature deaths that have been

identified but in certain instances have been prevented. The concern

that I have is that you purged -- is that you point to a medium or

long-term plan put in place to develop cardiac services in Wales.

Except that plan, but when you hear the Labour member saying last week,

there are hospitals in Wales that should be put in special measures,

some people are forced to go into the Private sector as they cannot

afford to wait. That is a state of affairs that I am not prepared to

put up with. That is the Labour member and included. -- Ann Clywd.

What assurance can you give us that we will address the long-term weight

-- waiting times and the inability for beetroot -- for people to get

treatment here in Wales, can you make a commitment for the next 12

months? Yes, we have a plan for the next two months. -2 macro years. In

the meantime, we have to make sure people get the treatment that a

need. That is what we stand for as a party, making sure people can access

treatment. If it means doing that by nonconventional roots, so be it, I

would rather people get that treatment than not. A play fast and

loose with figures but last week, Darren Millar claimed the number of

beds had dropped by 20% in Wales. Of course they have, because more

people are being treated at home. And in England, the figure is 25%.

So in fact, we have actually protected birds far better than his

government has in England. -- beds. The figures are here, you can read

them out. He can shout as much as he wants. In 2002... Order, gracious

me. They're all right hundred and 36,000 head inning that. -- there.

-- there are 363 beds. He has condemned his own party in England

but he did not do enough research to find out that fact. We now move to

the leader of played commie. -- Plaid Cymru. I would like to return

to the fact that the cost of nursery provision has increased. Can you

tell us why you think costs have increased so much in Wales compared

to other parts of the UK? I cannot comment too much on the detail, but

the suspicion must be that there is not enough provision to fuel the

private sector and costs have risen as a result. The next question is

what can the government do about it? We would all like to improve

childcare but these are difficult financial times to establish the

kind of facilities many of us would want. They are difficult times and

pressures upon local council budgets resulting in further cut backs to

childcare provision. In my own local authority, the council removing

full-time provision for under four -year-olds and those cuts have not

even been implemented so they are not impacting get. Do you accept the

cuts to local council budgets for childcare will further hinder

parents who need affordable childcare places so they can get

back into the workplace and do you accept it will further exacerbate

our economic problems if people cannot access affordable childcare

in order to work? Flying start comes in to make sure there is access to

childcare that would not be there. Local authorities must make

decisions according to their budgets and choose services that are

affordable. It is true to say that budgets are squeezed but we cannot

give them money that we do not have. It sounds as though due saying

nothing can be done by government. Your pound -- your party has already

announced intentions for 25 hours a week free childcare for

three-year-olds in England and you have committed to providing

wraparound childcare for school children. Your party leader has

outlined his vision for a so-called one nation Labour Party where there

is meant to be a level playing field, when therefore will you be

matching it -- the promises made for childcare here in Wales? I do not

remember saying this was part of the one nation Labour Party. Yes, it is

true that is part of the policy outlined in England and we would get

a consequential if that policy were implemented if there was an election

of a Labour government next year in Westminster. Knowing that that money

was coming, we could decide how to best use that money to provide

childcare in Wales. Unfortunately, we do not have a Westminster

government -- a Labour government in Westminster. Will the First Minister

make a statement on Welsh unemployment levels? Yes, as I said,

the rate of unemployment is lower in England and youth unemployment is

falling faster in Wales and is lower than England. With the First

Minister confirmed that while public sector jobs have been lost since

2,000, private sector employment growth has been far higher in Wales

than in the UK as a whole? Yes, it is and that is true -- that is true.

We have seen foreign investment increase in one year, export figures

will be published this week or next week showing good news for Wales.

Unemployment levels are so much lower, employment is up, economic

inactivity is down. Young people see the benefit of jobs growth in Wales

and we have attracted probably the biggest investment into Wales for

many decades through Pinewood Studios, nearly 2,000 jobs. That

shows the confidence of the business community has in this Welsh

government and its ability to deliver. Without wishing to question

your figures, First Minister, employment levels are 24% against

22% in England. And those aged 19 to 24, unemployment has increased. So

we recognise there has been some fall in figures, there is a lot more

to be done, what are you doing about it? I am not sure why the member is

using out of date figures, by his own admission. But when it comes to

unemployment rates for those between 16 and 17, it is 24% in Wales, 35%

is the UK average. 18-24 -year-olds, 18% is the UK average, 16% in Wales.

So the latest figures show quite clearly that when it comes to

unemployment and youth unemployment, the figures in Wales of four better.

The UK is following a trend of lower unemployment, figures show that. But

in Wales, we are doing that. It is a shame the UK government cannot do as

well as a Welsh Labour government. I have also been scratching my head in

recent weeks hearing your claims that youth unemployment in Wales is

lower than in other parts of the UK when established figures suggest

they are in fact worse. Will you admit the new figures you have been

using to quote the Office for National Statistics, because of

their relatively small sample size and variability, should be treated

with caution and designated as experimental statistics? There is

discrepancy at best. I put it on the record that I hope you are right but

will you admit painting the rosiest picture possible is not the best way

to make the government work harder to get our young people back into

work? It is because the government has worked so hard that we have so

many more young people in work. I am not sure what he means by

established statistics. The office of National statistics is the body

that provides objective statistics to the UK. If he is saying those

statistics are in some way wrong, he must justify that with objective and

well researched statistics. It is not right to say there is not more

that needs to be done, of course that is, the rate of unemployment is

still to hide. But if it was not for the work we have done any investment

we have brought into Wales and for investments like Pinewood Studios,

and for the increase in foreign direct investment and foreign

imports and exports, we would not be in this position, and we are in this

position because of the actions of this Government. Providing young

people with high-level skills is important to help them get into work

and build a career and improve productivity levels of Wales which

are lagging behind the UK average. Last week, Deputy Prime Minister

introduced a standardised UCAS system. I am wondering if you will

commit to doing something similar in Wales as this is something you have

often said is a priority for your government? We have already done it

for the youth guarantees, the UK following the lead we have given.

Will the First Minister make a statement on waiting times for

patients who have had a mastectomy to receive test result following

surgery? -- results. There is no specific waiting time associated

with the receipt of results after breast surgery, we expect patients

to be advised on further treatment options as soon as possible. A

constituent has contacted me who has had this treatment at Prince Philip

Hospital and she was told that she would receive results within a week,

she is still waiting for those results and has now been told she

will have to wait for at least five week, and she has also been told

that there are at least 12 other people in the same situation. This

follows the decision to centralise the system in terms of carrying out

these assessments and providing test results, do you accept this is

unacceptable? As the member well knows, that is not the position, he

has received a letter from the health board stating in black and

white that there have been problems regarding staffing, staff have been

absent from work, and they have made it clear that the service had to be

restructured to ensure that the service will be more effective in

future. This has already happened in North Wales where the service has

been centralised in a way which has not yet happened in South Wales and

West Wales, but this is something the health board is doing. First

Minister, one of the very things which is happening in parts of Wales

is that the follow-up appointments which very often are in relation to

test results with consultants are being the subject of delay. In North

Wales, last month, there were 47,000 people waiting for follow-up

appointments and there was a huge backlog of patients, but this is not

something that is monitored by the Welsh government. Follow-up

appointments are not reported to the Welsh government is and it is very

difficult for people to get a picture of the problem across Wales

-- government. What work is the government doing to make sure people

get timely access to follow-up appointments, the degree people with

problems that might deteriorate -- particularly. It could deliver a

devastating outcome for them and their families. I expect clinicians

to prioritise people they need to see, it is in their hands and that

cannot be done before they see a patient. When a patient has been

seen or has had to treatment, I would expect clinicians to ensure

that patient is seen as quickly as is appropriate for them. It is

difficult for a government to make that intervention is clinicians have

to decide what is appropriate for each patient's -- each patient and

we expect them to do that. Will we First Minister provide an

update us on Mark all local authorities have submitted their

draft strategic plan to do was comment and they have received

informal feedback from Welsh Government officials before

submitting their final plan to us post-consultation.

Thank you for that response. The plans are to be operational from the

1st of April onwards. There are problems in terms of a fort tee

shortage -- there are problems in terms of a shortage of Welsh

language teaching. The consultation in some North Wales countries will

not conclude until the day before which is the 31st of March. How will

the government ensure that these plans are operational according to

the original timetable? If there is a problem with the consultation, we

will consider that. If the plans themselves are not adequate or good

enough, the local authorities will have to rethink the plans. Thank

you. One of the aims of Pembrokeshire county council in

their Welsh and education plan is for more students between the ages

of 14 and 19 to study for qualifications through the medium of

Welsh. Can you tell us what assistance the Welsh Government is

providing to ensure the provision for the 14 to 19-year-old learners

complies with the measures so that there is provision for students

enrol and remote areas and that the students can attend Welsh medium

courses? -- students in rural and remote areas. I do not want to give

a few on one part of one plan. We have to consider the plan in its

entirety to see whether it is adequate. Having said that, it is

also very important that the authorities stick to the law. Thank

you. First Minister, we look forward to seeing these plans to see how

they will promote Welsh medium education according to the statute

book. It is also important that people have access to Welsh medium

schools and that is most often by travelling to those schools because

the schools are relatively long distances apart. A number of

recommendations have been made to change travel arrangements. Those

have been put to one side for the time being. Would you agree that it

would be appropriate to review the regulations on pupil travel to

ensure that the language choice does not affect how close a school is?

You have a right to be transported to whichever school, Welsh or

English medium. We considered this in great detail on the measure came

into force, the school transportation bill. The statistics

show that the local authorities must promote Welsh language as part of

the bill. But if you say the people can get transport to any school

whatever the language, that would mean some pupils in Gwynedd would

have to go to Holyhead or elsewhere to receive their education through

English. The aim of the bill was to ensure there was transport to Welsh

medium schools without making it incumbent upon local authorities to

insure that transport was available to all, whatever the distance. Or to

the relevant school, I should say. Would he make a statement on Welsh

comment action to support the economy in mid and West Wales? --

Welsh Government action. We have transport infrastructure

arrangements and IT support. The news that a company in Pembroke Dock

has gone into administration is a bitter blow for the area. How will

the wasp and give support and assistance to the 66 workers and how

can you help them work towards safeguarding the remaining jobs?

Which? how will the government give support Western Mark for those

threatened with redundancy, of course those in that position will

be offered support and advice -- will the government give support? I

would like to put on the record my gratitude to the Minister for their

efforts in trying to help the situation at the company. I have had

a number of in-depth on the stations with the key players. I have two

direct requests. The first is that you and the team get to work with

Grant Thornton, the administrators, in an effort to save the company

which is a substantial maintenance business which provides a

significant input into the local economy. Secondly, would you look at

what caused the decline of eight proud and long-standing business

with a ?9 million turnover which was doing well until its recent

partnership with other local partners? I think that needs to be

investigated thoroughly because West Wales can ill afford to lose this

kind of anchor company and it was an anchor company in the anchor 's --

in the enterprise zone. We are already in discussions with the

administrator and we will continue to work with them and the company

with a view to exploring all options. Also, I know the Minister

herself is greatly interested in getting an understanding of how

things emerged as they are now. I am sure she will make those

investigations and right back to you. First Minister, in the south,

the concept of city regions has been promoted by your government to

promote the economy on a regional level, but there is no similar

initiative on the western coast where the link between economic

success and the future of the Welsh line which is so important. Can I

ask you what plans you have to coordinate economic policy in a

strategic regional manner across the West Wales coastline to promote the

economy in that area and to secure the future of the Welsh language? Of

course, we do have some zones at present, such as the one in the

valley and also we continue to consider whether there is a debate

for having some kind of city region around the Aberystwyth -Carmarthen

area and other cities. Tourism is vital to the success of the economy

in mid-Wales and in particular in my constituency, Brecon and Radnor

chef. Government changes to support for tourism is causing some concern

in mid-Wales that efforts that have gone on in the past might be diluted

or taken away? Could you outline what steps your government is taking

to make sure the tourism industry is supported appropriately? I can say

very clearly that we understand that tourism is exceptionally important

to all of Wales and particularly to parts of Wales such as the mid and

West. Any new structure would be designed to enhance the promotion of

tourism in those parts of Wales and weak will continue to promote all

parts of Wales -- we will continue to promote. Carbon transition sets

out the Welsh Government's ambition to promote a low carbon Wales. The

plan will be published on the 15th of March. It is quite clear to me

the recommendations contained in the Silk Commission report yesterday, if

implemented, they would go is essential distance to making sure

that we can use our energy resources in a way that is beneficial to the

primate and the people of Wales. -- to the environment. In an earlier

exchange, reference was made to the community benefits declaration

established last year and which has been something of a success. What

steps are you prepared to take to roll that out to all regional levels

so that communities affected by wind farm development particularly in the

construction phase can benefit more fully from the community investment

that it would make available? I can say developers have been

commissioned to provide information for inclusion in the register. That

will be formally launched on the 3rd of April. I wonder if you could

update us on the steps that you are taking us a Welsh Government to look

at the cables potential for running to Anglesey, in particular whether

or not you have established that Deeside can be used for Welsh

electricity generation and whether you have looked at the issue of

running the cable down into Pembrokeshire? The member will know

none of it is devolved. We can have a view on it and as I have said many

times in the past, any means of transmission of electricity should

be as unobtrusive as possible. It is a point I understand as far as

Anglesey is concerned. I look forward to the member's deeper

question. She wishes of course that these matters would evolve and I

look forward to her support on this issue as on many others. Thank you,

Presiding Officer. Plaid Cymru is a target of producing what would

correspond to 100% of the energy used in Wales from renewable sources

by 2030. What is the Welsh comment's target? We have targets,

of course, in the plan -- what is the Welsh Government's target? We

must consider the fact that we do not have every tool to be able to

reach our target is at our disposal. In Scotland, it is true to say they

have gone Scotland with their marine energy because of... Wales should

have the power to do the same thing and it is encouraging to see that

the Silk Commission has made recommendations to ensure that the

people of Wales have reasonable control over Welsh weasels is --

over Welsh resources. Would he make a statement on commitments for

economic growth? It will be published in May and will contain an

update on progress made. Inward investment is vital for economic

growth in Wales. The foundation of small businesses said that your

government's inward investment strategy was crowded and confusing.

They went on to say that there was a lack of brand awareness and a lack

of visibility since the devolution of Welsh development agency. Will

the First Minister listen to the FSB and consider that the Welsh

Conservative proposal of setting up an investment consultant to attract

and develop inward investments to Wales, please? I do not agree that

setting up a quango of your mates is the best way of dealing with the

Welsh economy. I refer to the point I have already made. Foreign direct

investment has increased over the past year. What do the WDA do than

15 years? They lost its way and had people all around the world

delivering absolutely nothing. They produced targets they never met and

spent huge amounts of money. I watering amounts of money. I can

promise members it would not have been done today. It frosted in the

late 90s when all they did was put a huge amount of money on the table

and come to Wales, there is money on the table. When the money went, the

business went as well. They had their day 20 years ago. For the

whole of the last decade, it delivered absolutely nothing. Thank

you. Your government has been consulting recently on reducing the

number of statistics that you publish. In terms of the economy,

the most recent figures we have put GDP at 2011 figures. They are not

ones you can take pride in. Do you not believe in order to assess the

success of your policies you need more consistent figures and more

detailed figures? It is a fair point to say that the GDP figures are so

old and GBA are almost as old. It is different in the way it is

collated. It is something we should consider to see whether it is

possible to have figures for Wales. That would be more up-to-date than

the ones alluded to. But of course, in looking at recent figures from

the ONS, it appears the situation in Wales has improved immensely over

the past few years. We are in a position where we can compare with

the best in the UK. We will leave First Minister's

Questions berm. You can see more coverage of the National Assembly

online from BBC Wales Democracy Live page. That is it for today. We will

be back next week with more coverage of First Minister's Questions. If

you want more Welsh politics before then, don't forget Y Sgwrs

tomorrow. From all of us on the programme, goodbye.