12/07/2011 am.pm

Good afternoon, welcome to the programme. A busy start to the last

week of the political term here in Cardiff Bay. The UK Cabinet has

been meeting at the Royal Mint in Llanstrisant this morning, while

First Minister Carwyn Jones has been meeting with the Prime

Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister here at the Senedd. And

David Cameron has just been adressing AMs, and we will bring

that to you shortly. Get in touch with us. Send us a

Tweet: Or you can write to us: You can send us an e-mail: The Prime

Minister, David Cameron, has been addressing AMs, and the First

Minister has been answering questions.

Welcome to the National Assembly for Wales. I would like to welcome

the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State. When you last

visited in 2010, you said you would like to return. I am very pleased

to you have been able to do so so early. May I invite you to address

the Assembly? Thank you for your kind invitation to speak to the

National Assembly today. I already feel this is more civilised than at

the sessions we have it in the Westminster Parliament. Standing in

this building, unconscious of the role Wales has played in shaping

the United Kingdom. Wales deserves its title as the world's first

industrial nation. Eight Welshmen created our cherished public

service, the NHS. While many traditional industries may have

gone, wears's international reputation is earned in other areas.

World leading research and the life science centre in Swansea

University put Wales at the forefront of advances in technology.

The engines of Toyota and Ford, built here in Wales, keep the world

moving. While speaking about the part of that Wales has played in

our past and present, I want to put on record my gratitude to the brave

Welsh Regiment. From the trenches of northern France to South Korea,

they have fought and died in defence of our nation and values.

In Afghanistan, they continue to serve with courage and distinction.

I want to pay tribute to them and to all the people of Wales. I will

always be an advocate of this country and everything it has to

offer. But, being an advocate of Wales does not mean ignoring the

challenges that Wales faces today you. Wales has some of the poorest

parts of the United Kingdom. Unemployment remains high. Too many

people are trapped in benefit dependency. Children are growing up

in poverty. This is an affront to everything we know that Wales can

and should be. The task for everyone in this group is to pour

Wales on this predicament and give it a future as glorious as its past.

I want to speak about what we must all do to achieve that. There are

some things we must do together, there are some things that you are

responsible for. Before I say some words, let me to talk about the

constitutional future of Wales. Four months ago, Wales held a

referendum. No longer will the Assembly have to ask permission

from Westminster to legislate on devolved matters. There is no

turning back from devolution. I believe, along with this new level

of power, should come accountability. As promised, we

will establish a process similar to Scotland. It worked by consensus:

Conservatives, Liberal Democrats and Labour coming together and

agree a way forward in Scotland. I am asking the political parties to

seek a consensus on the future direction of devolution. Whatever

the outcome, I want you to know: I will be here to work with you for

the good of all Wales as part of a strong, united Kingdom. I it

welcomed the co-operative approach that First Minister Carwyn Jones is

taking. We have had some discussions today and will have

more in future. In that spirit of corporation, but we must work

together, to strengthen the Welsh economy. Wales is a country with

industrial flair and enterprising people. The private sector in Wales

is too small, so we must all more recognise that the Welsh economy is

too dependent on the state. When we are dealing with the largest budget

deficit in our peacetime history, this is an untenable. I recognise

that for Wales to develop a more sustainable economic future, we in

Westminster must act responsibly and thought fully. That is why we

made sure that Wales was less affected in the spending review. By

the end of this Parliament, the Welsh resource budget would have

gone down by 7.5%. This is less than the average cuts to most

Whitehall departments. As well as this, we have taken vital steps to

protect the poorest. We are restoring the link between pensions

and earnings. We are increasing child tax credits, helping more

than 250,000 families. And our decision to increase the tax

allowance will benefit over one million a Welsh tax payers. At the

same time, we are trying to protect the investments that you need to

growth. We are electrifying the Western main line, we remain

committed to Wilkin with the Welsh government. -- working. Last month,

we announced decides we considered are suitable for new nuclear

investment. Today and have a new announcement: We know that

broadband is vital. That is why today I can announce that Wales is

set to receive �56.9 million to help take broadband to 90% of homes

and businesses here in Wales. We are acting responsibly, and we are

making the necessary investments. But that does not mean they can be

blank cheques. The size of the fiscal deficit we inherited, larger

than that in Greece and Portugal, means the days when you can ask the

Treasury for more money are over. Our focus must be on the areas we

must drive growth: Skills and education. It is the responsibility

of all of us to think of new ways to boost enterprise and jobs in

Wales. The issues are the same in England. Already, our two

governments are working well together. The Secretary of State

are working closely with the Welsh government and ministers to promote

trade and investment in Wales. There is regular dialogue between

the Secretary of State and First Minister in creating new enterprise

zones. The decisions we have taken in Westminster, to cut corporation

tax, or help businesses here as well. I know we can bring

prosperity to the Welsh people. That is a job must do together. Let

me briefly talk about a job that is yours alone. With the powers you

have come responsibility. Responsibilities to children in

your schools, students in your universities, doctors, nurses and

patients. They are looking to due to provide improvements to their

lives. Like many other parts of the UK, some public services in Wales

are too bureaucratic to deliver those improvements. I believe that

now is the time to modernise our public services, and in England,

that is what we are doing. We are opening up choice in the schools we

send our children to and the hospitals we are sending our

patients to. We are making the whole system more transparent. I

believe these changes will revolutionise public services in

England, and improve people's lives. I believe more open public services

could do the same in Wales. Devolution of power from

Westminster to Cardiff is not enough. We need real devolution,

where power is passed from here to patients and parents, doctors,

nurses, teachers, charities. They have the ideas and energy and

commitment to improve our schools, build a fantastic NHS, and make way

of a better place to live a. It is not my intention to interfere in

decisions over devolved matters. That is your responsibility. But it

is my duty to give my opinion where I feel it can benefit the Welsh

people. Just as I believe Cardiff come learn from Westminster, we can

learn the same front you. Your decision to raise the profile of

the elderly, to end age discrimination, that sets a

positive example to the rest of us. I believe that this is what a

healthy, matured devolution should be about: Mutual respect. The

sharing of ideas. Collaboration. It has been a privilege to address the

National Assembly today, and I would like to end by saying this:

Devolution will not always be easy. We will not always agree. I know we

share common aims, to work together to make life better for the people

of Wales, to give them a more prosperous future and a stronger

Thank you, Prime Minister. Assembly members will have noted what we

said to date. As you say, following the referendum in March, it is

important that we maintain a constructive relationship as we

deliver another significant stage in the history of devolution. The

people of Wales delivered a decisive Yes in March. They

believed the Assembly should make laws. Laws which affect their daily

lives. Their expectations are very high, and we work hard to meet

those expectations. We are responsible for matters affecting

Wales's interests. We will do all we can to ensure that you are

working hard on and will behalf. What you said today about the

commission on devolution it is of particular interest. We look

forward to hearing more details of that in due course. Prime Minister,

thank you on behalf of all Assembly members are being here today, and

for the interest you show in our work.

Let's see what happened. Well that was the Prime Minister. Now it's

the First Minister. He has been Before I ask my question, as a new

member... First Minister, the Conservative government hold

meetings around the United Kingdom. Today is evidence of that. Can you

ask the question on the paper When it somebody asks a question

for the first time, it can be a nervous occasion. The question has

been asked. I would like to say, as a new member, I would like to say

how disappointed I was about the rudeness extended to allow Prime

Minister. Can you move on with the question, please? Thank you. Order!

Your comments are appreciated, but not appropriate. You have

previously talked about holding Assembly or committee meetings in

North Wales. In the first and second Assembly, meetings were

being held in North Wales on a regular basis. This made people

feel more engaged. The lack of Assembly activity now has led to

feelings of this enfranchisement. This was highlighted to me by many

people during my election campaign, in particular by the business and

farming community, who are eager for you to engage with them up in

North Wales. I believe that you are losing an opportunity to engage

with our electorate, and I was seeking reassurance that you will

consider holding Assembly meetings in North Wales over the term of

It is not a matter for Government. There will be a cabinet meeting

held in Llandudno towards the end of this month. TRANSLATION: Members

of the Civil Service Office report that a senior civil servant

recently announced one of the Government offices in a Wales will

be closing in the future, which one will that be? If anyone said that,

they did not have a authority to say so. First Minister, can I ask

for your assurances, despite what we have heard previously, that your

priorities for North Wales will not include privatisation of the health

service? We are not looking to privatise the health service.

Roberts. Are you aware of any efforts to update the National Grid

in North Wales? I understand it they are looking at the network in

all parts of Wales to ensure it is able to cope with what is in place

at present. There are questions arising regarding denude

development of nuclear power when the new reactor is in place. -- the

new development of nuclear power. The locale been a revolution -- the

law car been revolution will see the promotion of reverse -- the

diverse a renewable technologies. We will also maximise the economic

and employment sector for the people of Wales. Could you clarify

your policy in terms of devolution decisions on energy protection? Are

you in favour of evolving projects up to 100 megawatt only, or will

there be more? Renewable energy up to 100 megawatts. I want to clarify

the message which has arisen according to the energy capacity

limits. For onshore or when it is 120 megawatts but elsewhere it is

seen that these should not be the limits for the area. Last year you

published targets were to achieve two Gillotts. On your statement on

17th June you clearly indicate the capacity should be regarded as the

upper limits. Last week the maximum targets where top about as in 1,700

megawatts. Are you coming to the question? Some in the sector think

you are moving the goalposts. His 1,700 megawatts now your final

answer for generating capacity or would you like to phone a friend?

The correct figures are those in the report will stop on 10th June

the Higher Education Funding Council in Wales said they rejected

the plans of the higher education institutions to raise the tuition

fees to �9,000. Yesterday the Minister of Education said eight of

those universities which charge �9,000, what has changed? This is a

decision for her head score, not the minister. -- HEFCO. There was a

statement from the minister yesterday is all I think it is

quite appropriate because he mentions in his statement the

university's plan. Unless we know what the differences in the plan

have arisen, how are we supposed to represent the people of Wales? If

you see it is a matter for another in Group, will you make discussions

with them. They can release information about the plans RBG

University. Then we can judge what is the difference between these

decisions. If the financial modelling has been carried out on

tuition fees averaging �7,000, would you please now publish a

statement to show what the differences? I think it is

reasonable to ask for more details on the way the decision was reached.

We are confident that the policy can be paid for and that modelling

has been done on the figures of �7,000 and �9,000. You are seeing

that and you have to Z of course that you believe that the new

settlement is affordable. -- saying. All we have is a brief statement by

the Funding Council of Wales. How can we judge whether that is

affordable or not? I believe we have the right to have all the

information in order to take a view on that. When the minister

announced in 20th December 10, his plans, he said it was affordable

because it had been modelled on raising the tuition fees to an

average of �7,000. It had been modelled on the �7,000. What I am

asking you now is to publish the modelling at 9,000 bounce in order

that we can judge whether the current scheme is affordable.

surprised that this is a policy that Plaid Cymru has supported a

prior to the election, now I am not sure of their position. It is

important that students in Wales should know what Plaid Cymru's

policy is. You must ensure we keep student payments law. First

Minister, are you trying to tell me that nothing has changed since last

December? Things have changed. Let us make it perfectly clear once

again. The Minister issued a statement last December which

contained figures modelled on the expectation that these would

increase to �7,000. Those figures were announced on that basis. We

now know that fees in the Wales will be increased to �9,000. That

means it was modelled on figures that are now inaccurate. I am

asking you to publish those figures that have been modelled on those

published figures. I will give you an example of why this is important.

In the report in December the minister said that on an average

fee of �7,000, by 2015, we will have to pay the cost of a student

in England would be �70 million. A sorry, 70,000. That figure has been

increased which means that out of the Welsh budget there will be 80

million being paid out which impacts on your figures. Will you

please publish the figures so that we all in Wales can know if the

figures are affordable? Of course we will. In 1997 manufacturing

accounted for 98 % of the Welsh economy. Will the First Minister

tell us when we can expect his much-delayed manufacturing

strategy? The manufacturing strategy has been published by the

Deputy First Minister of the previous Government. We have a

strategy. We have the economic renewal programme. We have a

strategy to attract investment and increased business start-up. The

party opposite have none. The First Minister is referring to the Welsh

manufacturing forum's document will stop it clearly states that it is

important to note that this is not a Government strategy will stop the

Welsh Government got to take responsibility for our setting out

a framework in which Welsh manufacturing can be sought. When

can we expect a manufacturing strategy from your Government

question might You made a reference to the economic renewal programme

which was well publicised before the last election. This Government

is looking to implement that programme to make sure we have a

sustainable and sound manufacturing bases in Wales. We do not yet know

in what form the economic renewal programme will be. It currently has

six sectors. Three years ago or your Government strategy had 14

sectors. The business minister has suggested a more sectors could be

added to take the total up to nine. Can he confirm that he plans and

back to the future approach by taking the number of key sectors

up? We will look to see if other key sectors emerge from time to

time. Hour policy contrasts sharply with his Government's policy that

they can attract businesses to Wales on the basis that we are

cheaper than elsewhere. It is right to say that the minister and I are

looking in particular at the principle of clustered enterprise

zones in different parts of Wales. What preparations have been put in

place to introduce them? That is exactly what we are doing. We are

awaiting clarification from the UK Government on allowances which will

be available. Do you are a geek that supporting school should be

targeted at hour -- do you a agree that supporting schools should be

targeted at our poorest children? believe the funding form looks to

help schools that need help. While I would welcome the Government's

stated intention to look at raising school funding across the board, it

has been made very clear in the report this morning that poverty is

the biggest obstacle to a good education for a child. Will you

take that on board and provide extra support to the poorest

children in our schools? Local authorities and already providing

that support for our schools. Some schools in Wales which do not have

the most affluent catchment area is are doing well but we will not take

money from other schools to fund the pupil premium which is what is

happening in England. You will be aware that there is a significant

amount of money in an allocated budgets. A significant amount of

money is being spent on hypothecated grants to local

Government across the piece of will stop I am not surprised that your

members and the Plaid Cymru members voted against calling on resources

to be spent on our poorest children. Your own Government inspector is

saying that now. Will you reconsider your position? I am not

sure that anyone was suggesting areas a secret pot of money that

exists that we can draw on. That is not the case. The cuts have been

imposed on us by the Government of which you are part. If there is no

secret pot of money as you say, but there are around allocated

resources. The Welsh Liberal Democrats would choose to spend

those resources on the education of our poorest children. We believe it

is the right thing to do and beeping the chief inspector

believes we should do. I caught, learners from the poorest families

or those who are in care are more likely to obtain a lower levels

than other learners, we believe there should be additional

resources spent on those poorer as children, why does the Labour Party

What are the priorities will be farming industry? The minister said

the proposed review board should be established as soon as possible.

Weeks later, we still have no idea what the remit should be, or what

the timetable should be. In the meantime, hundreds of cattle are

being slaughtered. Do you share my concern that this process is not

moving swiftly enough? This is a matter for the scientific adviser

to look at. Work is taking place at the moment to ensure that group is

established. There are practical problems. They are problems about

having a poll during deep tourism I find your previous answer

surprising in relation to the tourism season. I doubt there are

many tourists out at night. In the countryside! One of the other

concerns of farmers, are the difficulties caused by the six

states standstill which comes up time and time again. -- sixth day.

These restrictions have now appeared disproportionate to the

risks to animal health. Can you confirm your government is prepared

to look at the relaxation of the sixth day it rule? I am surprised

to hear there are no tourists in Pembrokeshire end of August! There

are plenty out at night! There are many people who enjoy the

countryside in the day, and indeed at night! There are many tourist

organisations who lie in the business of providing tours to see

wildlife at night. With regard to the Six Day standstill, we will be

guided by D advice of the chief of rhetoric officer in terms of what

precautions should be in place. And, of course, we must be bear in mind

that nothing must be done to jeopardise the freedom of our

farmers to export to the rest of the world. What are the Welsh

government's priorities for South Wales? One of the plants you

alluded to earlier, was the economic renewal programme. Last

week, 190 jobs were announced. Only in June, the economic renewal

programme identified this company as being a strategically important

company. Does this show there is a lack of consultation of what is

happening in the Welsh manufacturing?

I met for these people last weekend. They value the fact there is full

consultation with them. There will be occasions when manufacturing

plants will experienced difficulties. We also know that

Bausch has never been purchased. It is a right to say we have seen some

good examples of job creation in Wales over the last month or two.

In Jane Hutt's constituency, I was told that new apprentices were

being trained or taken on. Residents of south Wales and

elsewhere are concerned about the collapse of Southern Cross. Is

there anything you can say to residents of these homes and their

relatives, given that the UK government seemed to be reluctant

to give assurances that people can remain in their homes? We have

raised concerns over Southern Cross. It is inevitable that residents and

their families and staff will be worried about their futures. What

we have looked ensure is that there is continuity of care, continuity

of employment for staff, and to ensure that the company addresses

its financial difficulties. The company promised that no homes will

close in the transition period. The objective must be to ensure that

while Southern Cross is restructured, there is no affect on

residents and staff. And there is a swift and seamless transition to

new ownership. You just referred to the plant which recently had its

last day of production. There were around 900 people employed there

when the company announced it would move production to Hungary. There

is a glimmer of light for former employees as a new firm is planning

to take over the side from October. Can you tell us what discussions

you have had, all discussions you plan to have come up with that firm

to encourage and promote the best use of that site, so the most is

made of what is an excellent location, and the maximum number of

people can be employed there? a sign of the skills of the

workforce that so many workers were snapped up by other companies. I

know a number of them were taken on by Ford. I know a number of people

have found employment using the skills they have. I am seeking an

early meeting to explore the possibilities of the site, because

as you say, it is an excellent site and well-connected. As you know,

South Wales Central contains some of the most economically active

areas of Wales as well as some of the least. There is a huge variance

in levels of deprivation across the region. What I would like to note

is that given that your flagship programme has been described as

being unable to demonstrate the eat overall impact of the programme to

meet the objectives, providing little evidence of the money spent

has made a difference to people in the communities, and that there are

questions over whether communities can be expected to deliver up the

wide at outcomes are needed to improve the conditions of people

living in the most deprived neighbourhoods of Wales. Given this

chorus of disapproval, can you tell the Chamber what assessment you

have made of the impact of York new communities's reforms? I understand

it is Lib Dem policy to criticise communities first! We will be

seeking to improve communities first, and we will be seeking to

improve the future of the programme. I would advise any member to go for

the partnership, see what work has been done as I have done, as well

as others across Wales. I have seen the real difference that this

project makes to so many communities and the people that

live in them. And yes, there have been occasions where some

partnerships have not been as well managed as they should have been,

but that is not a reason to condemn an entire programme. What

discussions has the First Minister had around the decentralising of

the powers of the Court of Appeal to Wales? I am not sure what you

mean. If it is the case you are suggesting the Court of Appeal

should sit in Wales, I would agree. That is what the Court of Appeal

has been doing over the past few years. If you are suggesting there

should be a separate court of appeal for Wales, then that would

take place in the future. And you can find out even more on what is

happening in the National Assembly on BBC Wales's Democracy Live

on BBC Wales's Democracy Live online coverage.

That's it from the Chamber. Joining me on the sofa to pick through what

the Prime Minister had to say is our Welsh Affairs editor.

There seems to be a lot going on in Westminster. Was David Cameron

doing here today? If you remember those complaints yesterday in the

House of Commons from Labour MPs saying, where his David Cameron? He

found time to come here, even though there were not any questions

being asked! He gets out of London at every so often, a practice

Gordon Brown started. That was the reason. One senses he did not have

a huge amount to save. If you were to listen to allow a radio

broadcast this morning, there was a lot trailed about a possible future

funding formula for Wales. We do not hear much about that, in the

end. Yes, what David Cameron and Nick Clegg did was to meet with

Carwyn Jones. One suspect that was about to dotting the i's and

crossing the T's. I think that David Cameron does not want to be

seen as imposing anything on Wales. He is trying to make sure that

everything is set up before he announces it. You send David

Cameron does not like imposing anything on Wales. I was reading

through the speech, and there was one that jump of the page, when he

was talking about public service reform. He was may be suggesting

that the things he is doing in England with the NHS we should be

doing here? Yes, it was fascinating. He was careful to say he was

showing respect, and not try to tread on the toes of the Assembly.

But to go into the Assembly Chamber with the substantial minority --

majority of people against this reform, if he wanted to elicit a