08/11/2011 am.pm

Good afternoon. Welcome to the programme. We will whisk you off in

a moment for first minister's requests and after that we will see

what our Welsh affairs editor thinks about it all. Feel free to

get in touch. You can do that via Twitter. Or e-mail us. I promised

you First Minister's Question. Here it is. I call the National Assembly

for Wales to order. Item one questions to the First Minister,

question one, thank you presiding officer. May I ask the First

Minister in relation to his strategic energy portfolios how

many meetings has the, has he held since May 2011 with private sector

companies wishing to invest in energy generation. Well, I

regularly meet with private sector companies wishing to invest in

Wales, and in addition to meeting with individual companies in June,

I had productive round table discussion with a number of

renewable energy developers, with projects and in Wales and with key

stakeholders. I was pleased First Minister to hear of that meeting,

but would it surprise you if you were to look at the evidence that

we, as a committee have received currently looking at planning and

energy generation, that most of the developers speaking to us, that

they have of the opinion that Wales is not open for business. Most odd,

considering what was said last week, about Scotland, that businesses

believe that Scotland isn't open for business. We, of course, wish

to secure businesses for Wales in the field of renewable energy, and

we are still speaking to businesses in Britain and outside Britain, to

secure jobs for people in these feelt fields. First Minister,

having listened to evidence of energy sector over the last few

weeks, there are two things that have struck me. They are still

uninsure about what your statement last June means for them. That

Government policy is still confused and they are reluctant to invest in

further renewable technologies in Wales. In order to restore

confidence, do you think it is time we have a thorough review of it and

we start investing in other technologys that will ensure that

we have, we meet our emissions and generations targets. It is

pointless reviewing it when it is a UK Government policy that, this is

something your party supported in terms of transferring the powers

repatriating the powers to use the phrase that is current at the

moment, to the people of Wales. It is also important that the

renewables obligations certificates are changed as quickly as possible

to make marine energy more attractive. Something that has

happened in Scotland because they control them in Scotland in a way

we don't in Wales. Question two. What assessment has the First

Minister made of the potential effect of UK benefit changes will

have on those seek private rented accommodation in Wales? I am

concerned about increased pressures on household incomes and the

possible reduck reduction in affordable housing. We have

established a group to monitor the impact of the welfare changes and

we are funding a study with the DWP to monitor the impact. I thank you

for that answer minister. Because round a third of the people

receiving housing benefit in Wales live in the private rented sector,

and charities are warning that it will hit low income households,

especially those people and their concerns are borne out by the IFS

independent assessment. Do you think it is likely we will see a

rise in arrears as a result of those change, and do we need to be

working closely with the private rented sector to mitigate evictions

and other housing emergencies? Would you join me in congratulates

Carmarthenshire council that has worked hard with private landlords

for the benefit of tenants with 500 lands Lords signed up to the

council's accreditation scheme. share the member's concern about

the effect of the benefit changes, particularly in terms of arrears

and the group will monitor those effects. Can I also congratulate

the council on the sics of the scheme. The welfare reforms are

also linked to the work programme and we were pleased to hear at a

conference to which you contributed last Friday, not only that the

Welsh Government is fully engaged with the work programme, but we

heard it described by one of the two providers as one of the biggest

Welfare to Work programmes the UK has ever seen. So I am sure you

would agree the two are interlinked. In terms of benefit reform what

action is your Government taking to respond to the evidence given to

the communities and culture committee on this matter towards

the end of the last assembly, where we heard we need to build better

relationships and links between local taits letting agents and

private sector land Oland Lords to prefer for and manage the changes.

It is not matter for this Government but nevertheless it is

important, it is important to ensure that as much, that can be,

that is needed to be done is done for people who will lose out, as a

result of these when fit changes. - - benefit changes. First Minister

changes to the housing benefit system by the Westminster

Government have been widely acknowledged by a majority of

housing organisation that it will have a detrimental impact on

homelessness and increase equality. Housing benefit costs have gone up,

not because of the supposed generosity of the system, but

because of rent inflation in London and the south-east of England. The

lack of available one bedroom accommodation is likely to

exacerbate the problem, particularly for single people, do

you agree First Minister, that this UK one-size-fits-all approach will

be damaging to Wales, and that our people here would benefit from

greater autonomy, not, or at least the ability to opt out of damaging

policy proposals like this prop proposed, like this housing benefit

cut. It would be better of the proposals weren't taken forward at

all in any part of the UK. The concern we have is we will see more

people become homeless and that means there will be a call on the

Government's budget here. It is a direct transfer of resources

effectively from the Welsh Government to the UK Government if

people are not supported through UK Government funds and become reliant

on Welsh Government funds. I share your concern both about the housing

benefit changes and the transfer of costs to the Welsh Government and

to local Government. However, one of the ways that the Welsh

Government can tackle this particular concern is by actually

increasing the supply of affordable housing as a safety net for those

who RAF effected by the changes. Can I ask you therefore, when will

we see a strategy and some viable targets and action plan to deliver

the targets, in relation to your Government's plans to provide that

affordable housing? I can tell you �1.4 million is being provided to

local authority to support projects to do with homelessness, that means

looking at supporting collaborative projects and those within local

authorities. We are look at the capital money that the money rather

that will be available to us, as a result of the council tax freeze in

England, with a view to including as part of that money, a commitment

to spend more on affordable housing in Wales. We move to questions from

the party leader, and the first question from leader of the

opposition. Thank you presiding officer. First Minister in your

document together for health you state NHS success depends from

first to last on those who work for it. Last week the Royal College of

Nursing brought their staff survey out which high lighted nearly 50%

of nurses are thinking of leaving the profession and over 60% have

undue stress levels put upon them in their place of work. What action

is your Government taking to address these measures? The Royal

College of Nuring have been supportive of the policy of the

waesh Government which in stark contrast to elsewhere in the UK.

First Minister how you can dismiss those concerns which are nurses on

the ground n the front line, on their day-to-day and they high

light a great disparity here in Wales, they were saying now only

37% of nurses agree, that the nursing structure provides a secure

career as opposed to 70% in 2009. 47% have indicateed there are less

nurses in Welsh hospitals on their day-to-day environment. Also a

quarter have said they are less health support workers on the wards

in Wales. Why are you so flippant when the serious concerns need to

be addressed by your Government to address the short fall in the Welsh

NHS? We take no lectures from parties running the Health Service

elsewhere. We know data shows a third of NHS trusts are breaching

it. Four times the number last year, we know in Buckinghamshire many

have been denied funding. I am willing to bet if you ask Welsh

nurses where they would rather work, they would choose Wales. You

are supposed to be the First Minister for Wales, this survey was

undertaken, undertaken on Welsh nurses working in the Welsh NHS,

that you and your Government are responsible for. I have offered you

the opportunity to outline what measures your Government would be

undertaking, to address these concerns. All you seem to be

interested in, is having governmental bashing sessions f you

want to look at waiting times by all means look at the English

waiting times because they are better than any you have presided

over. I ask you again, and I offer you the opportunity. Given the

figures that I have put to you, and in your role as First Minister for

Wales, what actions will you and your Government be undertaking to

address these very real concerns, by front line health workers in the

Welsh NHS. I will be meeting with the RCN in the very near future. I

can discuss the matters with them. It takes the biscuit to say somehow

this is something a Government bashing is something that comes

from me. I mean there are many of us on the side of the chamber who

admired, admired Nick born in the years he was Welsh Conservative

minister. Now we have seen the lead other of the opposition dismantle

in in three months. It shows he does nothing unless he is told to

do it by the Secretary of State. Leaders of the Welsh.... To have a

discussion with the Silk Commission. I asked you a pointed question

about the Health Service in Wales. You turned your back on the nurses

of Wales with your... And they will watch your performance in disgust.

This is the party that holds the NHS in contempt this is the party

that turns round and cuts funding to patients in England. This is the

party who has always believed in the private sector this is the

party that takes its instrickions from London and does Wales down.

think leaders questions, three questions. Can we have the leader

of the Welsh Liberal Democrats. First Minister, as you know, the

Welsh Liberal Democrats have pushed for many months, for the Welsh

Government to accomplish all expenditure over �25 thousand and I

am very pleased those first set of figures have now been accomplished

this week. An analysis of the figures shows that some companies

in Wales are still receiving not repayable grants several months

after a new economic strategy proposed to scrap them. Could you

explain why? They will be some commitment that will be continued

from the previous grant regime. Well, so much for the fleetness of

foot and a speed of response that Welsh businesses need. Some nine

months after the single investment fund was closed down, are you

seriously suggesting you have ongoing commitment, and it takes

nine months for this Government to get a grant out to business? Let me

quote you from your economic renewal strategy. Offering grants

is perceived to distort competition, and consume resources that could be

deployed elsewhere, to greater economic impact. Therefore, all

finance that the Department of Economy and transport provides

directly will be repayable. Is that still the Government's stated

policy, when will that policy be implemented and can you guarantee

that no more direct grants will be used in this way? Well, that is our

current policy, bear in mind there will be have been commitments made

some months ago in terms of giving grants. You saying we should renege

on that? That doesn't make sense. am surprised that some nine months

after a scheme was closed down, the Government and its departments are

so slow in dealing with their companies there is such a great

time lag. But First Minister, at a time when Welsh business needs

clarity from this Government, about what its economic strategy is, and

what help is available to business, there is now confusion as a result

of publication from the figure, I quote the director of the senator

for reseech of futures and innovation. He says its clarity we

need and I think all companies would appreciate that in terms of

knowing what the playing field is. And whether the rules of the game

are the same for everyone. You give business that clarity this

afternoon, and state clearly that this, this position of paying non-

replayable grants is finished.. there is a council tomorrow at

which that will be provided further if it is needed. The reality is

that Government makes commitments, some months in the future. If

commitments have been given to businesses they will receive grants

in the future, surely it can't be right to remove that commitment if

the policy has changed. There will still be some commitment that will

Do you want to come back for a fourth question, special offer

today?! You fail to name a capital scheme that had been started since

the election. Yesterday, you gave the press a list of capital project.

I thought progress at last. But this is the list that you and I and

the finance minister announced in March this year. This First

Minister... You forgot to mention those completed. How can that help

the Welsh economy? Yesterday, the announcement was about spin. In is

the first time I have heard government criticised for carrying

out the commitment. This is what the leader of Plaid Cymru is

suggesting. Substantial money has been committed. There will be a

further announcement at the end of the month with regard to more

projects that will be financed. Given the scale of what we face, it

is an achievement to deliver on the capital programme agreed before the

election. You have failed to announce a single capital scheme

since May. May I remind you that on 15th March, we announced 18 capital

projects to the value of �105 million. That list has been

repeated in this year's draft budget. I have been unable to find

a starting date for these projects. You are not helping the

construction sector to retain jobs. Why this inactivity? Since May we

have allocated a substantial amount of money. �8.2 million for asbestos

management. �8.5 million elsewhere. On 13th July, there was the

community Ward, �34.5 million. There has been a substantial number.

Not a single scheme has started. The economy is waiting for you to

make a single announcement on a capital project that has started. I

remember well you telling us it is a �77 million project. The business

case has not been agreed yet. The announcement was, in March, in May,

when there was an outline business case. We have not had the full

business case. You are announcing schemes before they have started.

We want to know when the projects will start. Since May, we have not

had a single piece of legislation. We have had a programme for

government that contains no targets. We have had no action on the

economy. The only conclusion I can draw on the failure to act is they

have decided to let the economic crisis do the worst and blame the

Tories for everything. First Minister, do not think young people

deserve better than that? ground has changed. The suggestion

now is that capital projects have not started. We are doing as much

as we can to protect the people of Wales from the cuts being imposed.

In 1983, then Labour Party was accused of producing a long suicide

note in that election. We move to question three. The was it the

Welsh government's priority -- what is it for the north of Wales? I was

set at out. How will the enterprise zones operate? Businesses are

lacking detail in how they will work in practice. Your minister has

refused a Freedom of Information request to disclose her discussions

relating to capital allowances. Do you agree it is reasonable for

businesses to expect your government to respond with a sense

of urgency and in an open and collaborative way to the challenges

the North Wales economy faces? Can you confirm the practical work and

details for enterprise zones and when they will be published?

Officials have met Treasury officials to discuss options for

the effective deployment of incentives. Discussions are ongoing.

Last we could, the member who just asked the question mentioned

regeneration money that has been invested. It seems the new Tories

or class of 2011 have a foot in the past. They echo the words of John

Redwood. Sending money back from Wales to the European Union. Can

you pledge this will not be considered? I note the excellent

work that has been done and Investment put in over the years by

the Welsh government. The decision by the energy department to half

the feed in tariffs has shocked the solar panel industry in North Wales.

Also contractors who want to work on ambitious schemes. Will the

First Minister contact ministers in London to express discomfort with

the decision. I agree with what there member has said. Many

individuals will lose out because of changes. The letter is on its

way to London in order to expand my views on their energy policy.

economic priority for North Wales is to create a new internet domain

for Wales. I understand the Welsh government will be asked to endorse

bids to run the domain before the application. I believe the top

level domain offers potential for Wales to market ourselves

internationally. Is it the economic potential for Wales that will be at

the top of the list of criteria? applications have been made for a

letter of support. Two have expressed an interest. We will

shortly invite interested parties to submit this for evaluation to

understand what the potential is. Will he make a statement on the

membership of the British-Irish Council. The council plays an

important role in developing the different administrations.

British-Irish Assembly met recently. Many delegates attended. They

called for closer working between the Assembly and the council. There

is much good work that is not well known. Also some form of scrutiny

role for the Assembly would seem appropriate as we see the co-

operation between various governments. We move too wide a

matter of policies. We take this issue up in meetings of the council

and perhaps urged that a member of the council reports to the

Assembly? I do not know whether the membership of the Association is

coterminous. I am not aware, though it is easy to clarify. It is an

issue I will raised informally. attended the Assembly in Brighton.

We had a presentation from the Northern Ireland Office. It said

about the progress towards devolving aspects of power. They

seem to be progressing faster than we are. What discussions do you

have with colleagues in the north of Ireland and Scotland to have a

cohesive approach when you come to council meetings so we can argue

for more devolution across the country's? The view of the Welsh

government, Scottish government, and Northern Ireland is that air

passenger duty should be devolved. What action is the Welsh government

taking to increase availability of affordable childcare? We are

investing in childcare through family support programmes that will

enable parents to participate in work, education or training.

thank him for the response. Following the publication of making

work pay, which was published by Save the children, they called for

more affordable child care particularly for low income

families. Would it be possible to review the existing provision and

see if any more government help could be given? The child care

policy statement called Supporting families, nurturing children makes

clear affordable childcare will be made available to parents. Beyond

that, we will see what can be done to help those outside the scope of

VAT. Updated national minimum standards for childminders and day-

care centres came into effect in April. For a lack of formal

consultation, it resulted in childminders feeling uncertain and

worried about what is being asked of them and about their future

viability. I am told it is exacerbated by a postcode lottery

as a result of white lead differing feedback. The child minders have

been given conflicting advice -- wisely differing. What action it

with your government take to ensure that registered childminders in

Wales are receiving consistent guidance on minimum standards?

Beyond what the member said, I am not aware of inconsistency in

advice. If there is evidence, I will consider ensuring greater

consistency. 65,000 people in Wales will soon lose their incapacity

benefit. 20,000 of those will be switched to jobseeker's allowance.

These people will have to look for work. How does this impact on your

efforts to improve the availability of affordable child care? Will UK

government decisions wipe out any advance and? The study carried out

by the Sheffield Hallam University suggests 75,000 people in Wales

will not be eligible for the new form of benefit. It has been

difficult for many people who have health problems to gain employment.

There is an element of the employer resistance to employing people with

difficult health records. We know with the Flying Start scheme it

targets help to those who need it most. We will be seeing through the

steering group whether there is a need to look at that scheme and

others to see if they need to be extended in the light of the 75,000

people not being eligible. I wonder if I can ask about heart can not

only being affordable, but also flexible, particularly for families

not currently in work and for whom we know that... In families where

nobody is working, getting a job is no sure fire way of getting

families out of poverty? Can you tell asked how child care is

flexible enough to enable parents Well, local authorities have a duty

under the Childcare Act to support and develop local childcare

provision. We have transferred �6 million to the RSG in 2008, to

provide local Taits with the resources to undertake that. That

has increased in the financial year gone to �7 million. We will work

with Local Authorities in order to ensure as childcare is provided

that it is flexible. Clearly it is important it has to be accessible

as well as available. Will the First Minister provide an update on

any discussions with the kphuern commission? I can assure the member

I know who he is. Discussions are ongoing with the UK Government and

the European Commission, and we are campaigning of course for the

continuation of adequately resourced European structural funds

programmes in Wales beyond 2013. Pleased to hear that First Minister.

While I appreciate European structural funds and funding in

general not the most digestable subject in Wales, there is an

important issue in tirms of future qualification. Can I ask you, with

regards our qualification for the next round of European funding, the

third conebgtive period, as I am sure you are airway MEPs have said

"I think there is recognition the first round of European funding, we,

was not spent as wisely as it might have been." I am sure you agree

First Minister we want to make the most of future European funding,

particularly at this different time. Can you tell us what discussion you

are having with the UK Government to ensure we maximise that funding

that Wales might be able to access? Well The well the level of funding

available will be subject to intense debate because of the

pressure to reduce the proposed levels of funning in the draft

annual financial framework. We of course will be campaigning to

ensure that vubg churl funds are available, in western Europe,

secondly, of course that, the amount of money in those funds are

more than qat for the purpose, and whoep of course the UK Government

will be able to support us in our position. Thank you very much. It

is vital that European project of of eof course create more lively

economy and promote entrepreneurship and one of the

schemes that had the intention of doing that is the pos which project

which has been brought to a close. A pledge was made that a summary of

the auditors' report which is the basis of the establishing of the

scheme, that is the report to the welfare would be made public. Why

don't you release the full reports so we can see what the basis for

doing away with the Powys scheme was as a Government that preaches

openness? Of course. Any internal audit report or no internal audit

report have made public as a rule. That is why a summary report will

be made. A copy will be sent to members. First Minister can you

confirm whether the Welsh Government has had discussions with

European regions and nation, who have previously received structural

fund, but have managed to lift themselves above the qualification

threshold. If so, what lessons do you believe we could learn from

their successst Well, we, it is both wies, because there are

lessons for other regions that have had structural funds as well. We

have regular discussions as does uefr fis in Brussels with a number

of European regions, struck eventual funds is one of them.

the First Minister make a statement on the Welsh government's bilingual

policy and its implementation. Government published its revised

Welsh language scheme, approved by the Welsh language board in March

this year, together with the corporate action plan. First

Minister, in my role as commissioner with responsible for

the Commissions bilingual policy, the Commission held a consultation

throughout Wales and did so over the past few months and I regularly

received complaints that the fact the Welsh Government was released

documents in only in English, responding to correspondence only

in English even though it was originally sent in Welsh. Are you

aware of the failings and what do you intend to do about it? Well, of

course, the aim of the Government is that we work in a bilingual way,

and those documents should be available in Welsh, sometimes it

may be possible there maybe a problem about doing that, but

routinely we would expect documents to be available in Welsh, bearing

our objective as a Government. First Minister n a letter to the

constitutional affairs committee, you noted that the need to consider

best use of limited resources could, on occasion, mean that some

statutory instruments that impact on Wales are not accomplished in

Welsh. How is this consistent with your commitment to give equal

status to both languages? This is something which has been true for

12 years, particularly as regards statutory instruments that are

accomplished on behalf of England and Wales, but of course it is very

important to consider that the Government and assembly itself

should table and accomplish documents in Welsh, in a way that

people couldn't even imagine, that was a decade or 15 or 20ing a.

First Minister, you mention the action plan, the corporate action

plan. There are a number of targets contain within that plan. Target 19

it is a requirement that every department in Government should

have adopted a language scheme by April 2011, and that should be

monitoring of every scheme by the unit, on a four monthly basis. Are

they meeting the requirements of the scheme? Well, we follow the

recommendation made by the kphirgs, and of course as a Government we

have followed -- the Commission. We have followed the recommendation of

the Commissioner. Of Will the First Minister make a statement on the

production of the Government's White Paper on organ donation the

Wales. The minister for health and social service and I were delighted

to launch the White Paper following its publication yesterday. Thank

you. Could I support the Welsh Government's decision to proceed in

this matter by means of a White Paper in the first instance because

it remains a topic on which there are many different views that need

to be brought together in shaping the legislation, can you give us an

assurance in conducting the consultation that the Government

will carry out on the White Paper, that the view fs of staff

association, patient group, third sector organisations such as the

kidney foundation, British Lung Foundation and so on will form a

comprehensive approach to consultation, so we have a wide

iping range of views and an effort to to spread information which is

so important in this area. welcome a wide range of views on

this issue. It is the Government's intention to bring forward the

organ donation bill. But the form of the bill is a matter for

consultation. We want to make sure it is got right. It is an important

piece of legislation for the people of Wales and so many who will

depend on it literally to get a better life or extend their lives.

That is where we leave first minute teers questions this week. You can

see more on BBC we'll's democracy line coverage. The address is on

the screen. Well, as promised Vaughan is here on the sofa. I

think we have to start today, with don't we, with the ence change, is

that the fiercest one you have seen? Not quite. You have to go a

long way back. It is really great political theatre. The time it was

was in the dying days of the Alun Michael regime, but through the

First Ministership's of Rhodri Morgan and Carwyn Jones it is rare

for your to get really angry exchanges, we saw one today,

between Andrew and the First Minister, where he is getting more

and more annoyed by the fact that Carwyn Jones just bats back every

question, from him, with a reference to what is going on over

the border in England. It caused a level of niggle, such that, I don't

know if you noticed this, but Andrew Davis was only entitled to

three questions. He railroaded rote Mary Butler, hence that over of

bonus questions, but really really tense anythingly exchange, and I

have to say, if I was asked who came out on top in that exchange, I

would have to say it was the Leader of the Opposition but only by a

short head. He did say that the nurses will watch you answer with

disgust, and I will make a plea to nurses if you are watching, get in

touch with us, tell fuss you were watching with disgust. Let us move

on. Ioane Wyn Jones focused on finance questions. Where did you

think his questions left Plaid Cymru? I think this is fascinating.

I get a stronger feeling that the Government could be in real trouble,

in terms of getting its budget through. He is chasing up a

question where he damaged Carwyn Jones over capital spending. He

went at it again, accused the First Minister of letting the Welsh

economy go bad so he could blame the Conservatives for it. That is a

extraordinaryry strong allegation, very difficult to see Plaid Cymru

reaching an agreement with the Government on the budget, having

made that sort of accusation, unless they there are pretty major

changes to the budget and not just how the extra �40 million is

splattered about but changes to Labour's core budget. Briefly,

where do you see support coming from if not Plaid Cymru? In the end

it will have to come from Plaid Cymru. What Plaid pld are doing is

making clear is price will be substantial, and Labour shouldn't