15/05/2012 am.pm

Good afternoon, welcomed the programme. As usual we will bring

your coverage of First Minister's Questions. There is certainly a

mixed bag for Karen Jones to deal with today. Before we look - Carwyn

Jones, you can contact us via Twitter, @walespolitics, or send us

an e-mail to [email protected]. Business has begun in the chamber

so let's look at today's questions for the First Minister.

We now move to questions for the First Minister. The first question

as they learned parrot. Will the First Minister make a statement on

what measures the Welsh Government has taken to generate new private

sector jobs in Wales? We are taking steps to improve the business

environment and the conditions of the private sector to grow. As you

will be well aware, the construction sector has been

particularly badly hit by the recession over the next - last few

years. What we introduce in the supplementary budget under

discussion to boost the construction industry in Wales?

These are matters under discussion between two parties, and will be

made - that a decision will be made shortly. First Minister, this

afternoon is a science in the Assembly event across the way,

which involve science, innovation and economic activity. A 2010 has

survey highlighted that chemical based industries have declined at

21 per cent across the UK. Do you agree that the launch of the

science for Wales strategy Baeza key direction in the Welsh

Government promotes scientific development in the private sector

and academia? The launch of the strategy Indies sets out a

programme to enhance quality and quantity of research in

universities, institutes and industry itself - indeed said that

a programme. We believe that would lead to more jobs. Can I ask you

what you are doing to promote jobs in the private sector, specifically

for women, because there has been an improvement, actually, in

unemployment in the last few months in terms of men, but a 4000

increase in women out of work over a similar timespan. Your government

pays lip-service to equality issues, so what are you actually doing on

the ground to make sure more I employed by the private sector?

UK government is trying to remove reference to equality issues at a

time but I find it a bit rich to do so. The Wales' economic growth fund

and Investment Fund, the Micro Business Loan Fund, the funds to

finance Wales, you will see just some examples of the many things

put in place in order to help businesses and create jobs. Alun

Ffred Jones. Thank you. I raised the issue of the rock fall in the

quarry in Bethesda last week and 60 workers have now agreed to take

four days a week to try and save their jobs, but they are facing

hardship. Will you commit your government to assist the company

specifically to try and bring the quarry back into use so they can

work for the whole stone face and get workers back into full-time

employment, and look at opportunities to assist the workers

themselves, who are facing this indefinite period of working four

days a week. We would of course be happy to work with the company and

staff to secure those jobs in the poster and develop the quarry.

Roberts. Will the First Minister make a statement on the steps he is

taking to ensure the Welsh-language commissioner has operational and

financial independence? The independence of the Commissioner is

something the government values and sports in full, of course.

number of provisions were made in the Welsh language measure which

protects the commissioner's freedom. I am sure you will be aware that

the commissioner has expressed concern about the issue of

financial independence. Do you believe along with the other

commissions, but there is room to go further than an annual budget in

order to secure that independence? I don't think this impacts on the

independence of the Commissioner, for example, judges are paid by

government, and nobody would claim they are not independent. A number

of commissioners across the UK are funded in this way as well. It is

important of course to ensure the commissioner is independent, and

this is something we very much support. First Minister, but that

What would happen if the priorities of the commissioner, which are set

independently, directly conflict those of the minister, who will be

the final adjudicator in that relationship, and how well you're

sure that the commissioner's independence is parallel?

commissioner is an independent figure. The commissioner will, on

occasion, challenge government. That is part of the role of any

commissioner and we have seen that with the commissioner for older

people and the commissioner for children, so there is no problem in

taking a stance which is different or in opposition to that of

government. The people who were calling for the Welsh language

measure and seeing a commissioner in place are very eager to see the

standards that the commissioner will implement, and seeing them

brought before the Assembly. When should we anticipate seeing those

standards brought forward to this Assembly? I will be meeting the

commissioner before long, and this is something I will debate with her.

We moved to questions from the party leaders. First, the leader of

Plaid Cymru, Leanne Wood. Can you clearly outline your government's

position on powers over energy consents greater than 50 megawatts,

what exactly have the last four, please? Historically, we have asked

for the deep pollution of up to 100 Maric - megawatts - Mac megawatts.

The UK government has proven intransigent on this point. Thank

you. In October, 2010, your previous Environment Minister, in

response to a statement on the feasibility study for the Severn

Estuary, raised concerns, saying "the scale and impact of even the

smaller schemes would be unprecedented in a environmentally

designated area, and providing compensation for the damage would

be very challenging ." Do you still share those concerns? I think the

right project for the Severn barrage is something which could

certainly be taken forward. Environmental concerns need to be

addressed, but ultimately this will remain a matter for the UK

authorities, because of the cross- border nature of the barrage.

assurances can you give us, First Minister, that given Westminster

will ultimately make a decision on this, that any developments in the

Severn estuary will provide for the maximum amount with the minimum

damage, and will be in the best national interest for Wales?

expect the UK authorities to be guided by the same regulations as

those that exist in Wales. Many are European regulations in any event.

I would expect to see the barrage deliver in terms of energy

generation and environmental protection, and of course in terms

of jobs, because there are great opportunities for Wales,

particularly areas such as Port Talbot in terms of manufacturing

and maintaining the barrage. Leader of the Liberal Democrats, Kirsty

Williams. First Minister, today you schools inspector pointed out

failings in many schools to develop basic skills a Munster 11-14 year

olds. It follows two previous reports stating 40 per cent of

children entering secondary school have a reading age below their

chronological age, and reports show was slipping down the international

league table. How many more reports do we need published before we

start to see progress in this area? We welcome Estyn's report and

recognise the problems they identified, including the 20 point

action plan to recruit - improve - Mac improve education performance

in Wales. The Education Minister reportedly will publish his natural

- Mac national literacy programme this week. Can you assure me this

will be more effective than the one that was meant to do the same in

2000 date? It is meant to ensure literacy and numeracy rises in

Wales to a letter we would want it - Mac a level we would want it.

issue is, what will be different from the previous intervention

which failed to work? I know you say literacy is a priority, but can

I read what you previous education ministers have said." improving

standards and basic skills in literacy and numeracy is key ." "we

have given particularly - that particular priority to basic skills

.""one of a key priorities is improving education ." "my key

priority is to improve education standards ." In fact the only

Education Minister I couldn't find a quote from was you. If improving

literacy has been a priority for every Labour Education Minister

since 1999, what do you think has been going wrong? I listened very

carefully to the leader of the Liberal Democrats as she went

through her a question at the speed of somebody reciting the terms and

conditions of a financial services a vote on the radio. I think we

caught some of it. But the point is we have been consistent in our

desire to raise literacy and numeracy, evidenced by the

questions asked by the leader of the Liberal Democrats. Leighton

Andrews as Education Minister is the latest in a long line of

ministers who will always continue to improve literacy and numeracy. I

see nothing wrong with that. leader of the opposition, Andrew RT

Davies. First Minister, how many new jobs will be created by the

firstsource call centre in Cardiff Bay? It will protect 16 - 600 jobs

in Wales. You said these would be 600 new jobs in Cardiff Bay in

March despite the company indicating they never said there

would be any new jobs created by this call centre, it merely

transfers of jobs. Why did you choose to mislead the public when

you make your initial announcement back in March about 600 jobs?

the time the comment was made we understood these would be new jobs.

It has subsequently turned out to be 600 jobs kept in Cardiff which

would otherwise be moved to England. You obviously got it wrong back in

March, First Minister, but this is a wider trend across government.

Three weeks ago I highlighted how the scientific adviser had to

resign on the basis that he didn't believe the government were dealing

in the best science when tackling TB eradication. Last week we

highlighted the fact that their health minister, when she bailed

out the three health boards despite her rhetoric in the autumn of

saying that managers and directors of health boards if they didn't

come in on budget would face sanctions. Today I have highlighted

that you used your office in March to misconstrue the information

about creating new jobs. Do you not think it is vital that when

government ministers speak they are clear and concise, and carry

through what they talk, something your government is failing to do to

date? Let me remind the leader of the opposition of something said by

the Wales' office when the Prime Minister went to Japan. They

announced an investment in Panasonic, by Panasonic in Wales,

did it lead to anything? No. When I asked the Secretary of State what

this mystery Investment was, I was told we had brokered it and were

paying for it. When I asked her why the Prime Minister felt he should

announce something we as a Welsh Government were paying for, I was

told" the UK government has the right to announce anything the

Welsh Government does, because the UK government pays for Wales ."

That's what she said to me, right? So I will not take less thans - a

lesson from the party opposite because we are creating jobs as we

remove them, or in terms of honesty, because after the Panasonic

announcement, it takes the biscuit tin ear the leader of the

opposition say what he does. - to hear the leader of the opposition.

Andrew are treats it - Mac Andrew 11 How is the first minister

working to deliver the programme of government? We are working to

provide a programme of government for South Wales as well as all of

Wales. You will be on a programme tonight that is indicating that the

government is considering taking a strategic interest in the airport.

Move the question, please. When I asked to this question in February,

you highlighted that you are considering such ownership which

might be circumnavigating of the funding rules under a different a

leadership model. Are you in a position to say how your actions

would circumnavigates certain rules that would prevent you in investing

in Cardiff airport? We might lurk in models which would mean at the

company is owned by the government. The leader of the opposition, his

political and 10 I are completely wrong. I have had many e-mails from

staff at the airport who are entirely in agreement with what I

said. We have worked for two years to get this approval. We have to

make sure that the owners are ambitious to develop the airport,

or if they're not, let somebody else by it and improve it. Will the

first minister outline of what steps the government is taking to

tackle child neglect? We are putting in a strengthening

programme to make arrangements, and early intervention programmes.

Thank you. A recent review into child neglect called for local

authorities to ensure early intervention services are in place,

better collection and analysis of statistics, and signposting for

family who need extra support. These measures need not cost the

earth. Willie looked at the specific points to ensure we do

everything we can to tackle neglect? I am very grateful to the

work that they have done, and early intervention will is crucial. We

expect to see corporation, and multi- agency working to ensure

that child neglect is dealt with promptly and effectively. Action

for Children are have been calling -- have been calling for the

government to ensure that neglect is dealt with, how would you

respond to the Children's Commissioner for Wales, which

highlighted the failure of some Welsh councils to provide adequate

support? We expect these agencies to work together, and to co-operate,

working through local service boards to analyse the data, and he

used it to plan effectively for early intervention to redress

neglect. -- address neglect. Action for Children highlighted the

importance of fathers, and they want to support some men to fill

this role. One year on what steps have you taken that men in need of

this help can effectively meet the needs of their children? We are

looking for all parents to provide the support, regardless of sex. The

Bill contains proposals to meet this. Fairly to ensure that their

child attends school, or receives an education is neglect, and robs

children of their best chance of a bright and successful future. How

is the Welsh government tackling the worrying school absence rates?

As part of the delivery and attendance action plan there,

meetings have been held with many schools to discuss attendance and

behaviour, and to see what further tools may be needed to see the

situation improve further. What do the Welsh government plan to do

with the district hospitals in Wales? To retain them. You have

often said that John not willing to accept services that are unsafe for

patients. Are there any services in the hospitals that are unsafe for

patients? We can't avoid the conclusions of the Health report,

and this is something that is sensible for all parties to address,

and that services are as local as possible, and to maintain the

hospitals that we already have. We can accept that there are certain

services that could be delivered in a more effective way for people, in

terms of their own safety. This, of course, is something we are

currently considering. First Minister, in Cabinet you have said

that meeting the case for change, in terms of possible beds,, --

hospital beds, emergency services, they can be met. Is this an

effective plan for the future of hospitals in Wales? Services may

change, but it is possible to see them perform more safely, we are

performing more operations than ever before, that is something that

any organisation these too consider, we want to talk about services

delivered locally, to his many people as possible. Many services

can be delivered outside of the hospital setting, by GPs, or by

nurses. Well the first minister outline any discussions the Welsh

club and has had with the UK government in regarding the

abolition of the Agricultural Wages Board? We have had of beatings with

UK government ministers. They have been ongoing discussions with DEFRA

-- of their have. It negotiates wages and conditions for thousands

of Welsh agricultural workers. As it is a devolved area, could you

outline the government's views on the abolition of that is proposed,

and tell us whether the government will look seriously at maintaining

it for the benefit of Welsh agricultural workers? That is

something we are looking at. Discussions are taking place, they

have so far involved looking at if it goes in England and Wales, that

its functions are carried out here in Wales. First Minister, I'm very

interested to hear that reply, because last agriculture -- because

whilst agriculture is devolved, I'm not sure the law is. Can you allow

the cost of -- can you outline of the cost of retaining it? What

other options have been looked at in providing protection to Welsh

workers? I'm surprised she does not find it easy to support what the

board does. Agriculture is devolved, and the discussions are taking

place looking at how to put in place a structure if it is

abolished. Discussions are taking place between the Welsh government

and DEFRA. They have been cordial, and to -- and undertaken to find a

solution. May I thank the first Minister for his responses, and

perhaps he went recall this, but in 1991 in the House of Commons, my

predecessor Haydon Jones, voted for the establishment of the

Agricultural Wages Board. Is he aware that a day the board in

Scotland have made her announcement for the next financial year, and at

least one agricultural union in Wales would vote in favour of

continuing it in Wales? It is important that there is a way of

securing the wages of agricultural workers in Wales. It is important

to say that the employment law has not been devolve the Wales, neither

has it been in Scotland, but it comes under the subject of

agriculture generally, that is our view as a government in Wales.

the first minister make a statement on the future of Welsh residential

care homes, previously under the control of the company Four

Seasons? Four Seasons will continue to operate in Wales, running seven

care homes. Continuity of care remains our overwhelming priority,

and we will monitor the operation of each home during the refinancing

process. The takeover of Four Seasons was reported in the

national press, a tax exile, and private equity Barran, best-known

for his disastrous takeover of EMI is now poised to snap up Britain's

largest care home chain. Would you be willing to consider calls right

across the political spectrum that the law should be changed, so that

in future if any individual or company 60 takeover the

responsibility of residential care, they should be made subject to a

fit and proper persons test? wording does not the last of the

greatest of components -- does not fill us with the greatest of

confidence, but there are a robust set of requirements that set to

find out if anyone wanting to run a care home two is fit to do so. We

will insure her that the assessment of the financial viability is as

robust as possible. We will take effective reinforcement action

where that might be necessary. Those homes will still be run by

Four Seasons, and we would like to reassure families that that firm

employees 28,000 people around the country. It is important that the

quality of care continues during the change of ownership. Has the

government had any assurances from Four Seasons about their debts will

be paid off? That is a matter for Four Seasons and those taking them

over. We will continue to monitor the situation very closely in order

to maintain at the level of care. Will the first minister make a

statement on his priorities for local government? Our priorities

are set out clearly for local government. Thank you first

minister. Before you accuse me of being negative, can I welcome the

�60 billion funding announcement made by the Finance Minister

recently in terms of the local government borrowing initiative?

Can I ask you, given that the people of Wales this week had an

election for local authorities across Wales, would it not be best

to give local authorities some flexibility in terms of that money

rather than simply saying, as you have, that they have to spend it on

a specific area? Should be a matter of choice? -- should it be a matter

After Labour women outright 10 councils a fortnight ago -- winning,

I am sure the first Minister is very pleased with that, as I am.

The question I would like to ask is, what discussions are plant now with

the new local-authority leaders over collaboration agenda so we can

start taking that Ford? This is a matter that will be taken forward

by the Minister as it is an important part of local authorities

work and it will be crucial to deliver for the people of Wales if

the collaboration continues to move forward. Vaughan Gething. What

steps will the Welsh Government take to improve health and safety

at work? They have the work in Wales programme includes support

for employers -- healthy work in Wales programme. Thank you for the

response. You may be aware that 20,000 people across the UK die and

workplace accidents annually and approximately 1.9 million people of

working age in the UK can live with an injury or illness worsened or

caused by their job. You also be aware that the UK government is

cutting back 35 per cent its funding for the Health and Safety

Executive next year. Do you share my concerns that the UK government-

led campaign to demonised -- demonise health and safety, will

undercut hard -- hard-won gains in workplace safety and lead to more

workers been injured or killed in their job? The reality is that for

many years in Wales we were used been killed -- people being killed

almost daily, whether in coal, steel or agriculture. Much of the

reason we don't see people being killed at the same rate, although

it is sold -- still too high, is because of enforcement of health

and safety law. Any reining back of either the law or enforcement will

lead to more injuries and sadly I believe, people being killed. The

reality is that health and safety law has led to greater health and

safety and should be tinkered with at the peril of the UK government.

A fortnight ago and event was held here recognising Workers' Memorial

Day and reflecting on the loss of many people doing their job, quoted

in the previous question. The Speaker highlights the UK

government's the purchase stance -- atrocious stance on this. Is there

a way we can promote health and safety at work? We know the HSE's

own evaluation of the impact of safety rep training in terms of

union safety reps, found that more training they underwent, the

greater the positive effect at work so it is important to ensure that

there are not only union safety reps and union members, who are

trained to the highest degree possible. Julie Morgan. What plans

does the First Minister have to improve the environment for people

living in urban areas? At the environment matters conference

yesterday the Environment Minister set out how we will support

communities to make a difference to their local environment and secure

wider skills, jobs and well-being benefits. One of the big problems

in urban areas is litter. Following the success of the levy on plastic

bags, does the First Minister think there is a way of tackling the

issue of discarded cans and bottles, possibly by means of a returnable

levy? We were prepared -- prefer to see people voluntary recycling cans

and bottles. Defra recently commissioned a study in England

looking at whether a deposit stick -- scheme could be established. It

came as it -- at a cost so we have to establish the cost-benefit

analysis if we do so in Wales. That said, it has increased dramatically

over the past decade, and as the rate of recycling increases, I

suspect it will be necessary to introduce a deposit scheme. Andrew

RT Davies. One of the biggest display immense of many large-scale

developments in urban areas is the Queen's Speech is even visage for

them as pleasant environments -- green spaces envisaged for them,

quickly become covered in a letter. With the new Planning Bill, will

the First Minister be considering measures to put an obligation on

developers to create some sort of endowment fund to look after these

green spaces so future generations can enjoy them to their full

potential and what they were intended to achieve? Yes, if you

look at section 106, we are looking at that. The section is impinged on

by the community and -- community infrastructure levy, which although

it was claimed at the time, was in fact up financial matter, is a

planning matter, which limits the scope very much in terms of what we

can do to improve matters when community benefit is being looked

at as planning applications are considered. In terms of community

infrastructure levy, I will put on the record that we would like to

see it devolved as it is a planning rather than financial issue, and it

would give the right level of sex - - flexibility not just to ourselves

but to local government. Alun Ffred Jones. Will the First Minister make

a statement regarding government plans for capital projects. Capital

spending plans for the next three years was set out in our budget for

growth and jobs in December. P M M G company, which owns the six toll

roads close to Birmingham is in debt of �1 billion to the bank and

made a loss of almost a quarter of a million pounds last year on

operations. Is this government still considering a parallel road

to the M four in South Wales, and if so, if you are considering doing

that, would at whole have to be raised in order to secure usage of

the new road -- with a charge have to be raised? Well... There are a

number of ways of improving the situation near Newport in bring

class, but clearly tolls have not worked on the M6 road, which we

know only too well in Wales. If a new road were built and charges

imposed, people wouldn't use the road and continued to use the

existing road, so nothing along those lines is being considered at

present in terms of putting tolls on any roads in Wales. First

Minister, one of the roles of your delivery unit will be to produce

delivery reports about the performance of the Welsh

Government's key priorities against measurable outcomes to see if they

are on track to be achieved. Given the well-documented history of

slippage in his government on capital projects, will your special

delivery unit look at this and monitor whether these capital

projects get delivered on time and to budget? Yes, and also of course

the Programme for Government will be published towards the end of

this month, against which the Assembly and the people of Wales

will be able to judge what the government has done in the past

year. Peter Black. While discussions are still ongoing with

the UK government about borrowing powers for the Wells Assembly,

other mechanisms are available to your government to raise additional

capital monies -- the Welsh Assembly. What progress is being

made with regards to the bond issue pursuit by housing associations? --

pursued. We are exploring finance options to leverage more capital

over the next 10 years but they are not a substitute for gaining the

borrowing powers that Scotland and Northern Ireland will have in the

future. They ran parallel to those. Jenny Rathbone. What is the Welsh

Government doing to encourage unemployed people to develop their

skills and employability despite the shortage of paid jobs? We are

looking to extend apprenticeships and have created jobs growth Wales

and of providing training opportunities through a number of

schemes. And sure we have all noticed in the last week the

serious dip in the number of vacancies advertised in Wales, a

clear sign that firms are voting with their feet to the austerity

measures the UK government continues to push, which is not

digging us out of the recession but pushing us back into it. What is

the Welsh Government able to do to ensure that people are engaged

actively in developing their skills so that when jobs are available

they are in a better position to apply for them? It is absolutely

true to say that people need to retain the skills they have and

develop new ones. That's what the scheme is all about, making sure

people have the opportunity to get on to an apprenticeship scheme or

receive training to develop skills that will ensure they have a job in

future. Without the scheme, many young people would not get the

chance to gain that experience in the first place, obviously put in

the matter disadvantage in the Labour Market. Estyn's recent

report, and their criticisms of the skills Framework painted a very

worrying picture Indies. 40 per cent of tea -- people starting

secondary schools have reading skills below their average age

group, and just 48 per cent of pupils at key stage 4 achieved

Level 2 in the core subjects last year. How can you ensure that the

forthcoming numeracy and literacy framework will address these

shocking figures and guarantee that improvements will continue past

stage for -- stage 40 to provide meaningful potential in the job

sector for our young people in Wales. I can't comment on any

results which show our ability to cook Italian food, but the Member

referred to, nor the way understand what this has to do with employing

people. I suppose you could argue that children in schools are not in

jobs, we could take it to that extent, but the issue of education

and the money we put into it, one of our five minutes up -- manifesto

pledges, are well documented, and they were supported by the Welsh

people last year and last week. STUDIO: That is where we leave

First Minister's Questions, on that surreal note. You can find more

online on the BBC's Democracy Live page. As usual, our Welsh Affairs

Editor Vaughan Roderick is here. Good afternoon. Hello. Strange

coverage, it felt like a flat First Minister's Questions today. Yes,

and that joke, if it was a joke, by Carwyn Jones. Did not raise a laugh.

Past its sell-by date. It made him look a little bit patronising and

was not well judged. It was quiet, Kirsty Williams had a good day and

they thought she landed a few blows. I wasn't sure what the award was

trying to extract from the First Minister, possibly quotes for first

-- future use, and Andrew Davies stepped in to link three subjects

together. You could see what he was trying to do with the line of

attack -- attack, but the most interesting thing we got was the

leak of a confidential conversation between Catherine Jones and Cheryl

Gillan where she allegedly said the UK can announce what it likes about

the Welsh Government. -- between Carwyn Jones and Cheryl Gillan. It

seemed to be post-election FM Khieu's, not much energy, and many

a AMs away at the British have that -- at the British-Irish Council in

Dublin. One thing not mentioned was a story in the petitions committee

this morning, which we watch with relish here in our office, about

the petition to put statue outside the senatemacro, of what exactly?

Of a sheep. This was a suggestion that they should be a statue of a

sheep in the Assembly to celebrate the importance of agriculture to

Wales. Some people laugh, others said it was a heck of an argument

if you had to choose which breeds. Others think it is not a bad idea

provided the public don't pay from taxation. If somebody brought up --

came up with the money it wouldn't go down too badly. We already have

a minor, so why not a farmer? Thanks for joining us today. That's