18/10/2011 am.pm

Good afternoon. Welcome to the programme. It's Tuesday, which

means we've got First Minister's Questions for you. But we do have

some changes in our line up here on the sofa. Our political

correspondent Tomos Livingstone will join us later.

Feel free to get in touch with us while we're on air. You can do that

via Twitter. The address is @walespolitics. Or you can send an

e-mail to [email protected]. Right, that's the housekeeping out

of the way, let's go over to the Senedd now to catch up with

questions to First Minister Carwyn Jones.

I call the National Assembly for Wales to order. Questions to the

First Minister. Will the First Minister explain how he and his

Government intend to increase employment for young people in

Wales? Increasing the employment opportunities for young people

remains a key priority for the Welsh government and that is why be

implemented our new employability programmes in August. That is why

we have extended apprenticeships and established jobs growth Wales.

It is a very credible target that you have set but, in the present

economic situation, youth unemployment has risen by 15 %. Can

you please tell me, because I don't think it has been fully explained,

how you attend -- intended to achieve this target? Through jobs

growth Wales, as we have already illustrated. We have already

launched that. And the programmes we introduced on August 1st of this

year. The UK government is failing to support young people as clearly

shown by a youth unemployment racing this year it to the highest

level since records began in 1992. The UK government's policies don't

work. But in Wales, we are tackling this head-on with the jobs growth

Wales programme which will provide 4,000 places for young people in

Wales this year. Can the First Minister update Assembly with

regards to the British ships and youth training schemes? We launched

a trainee programme in August and a programme for adults over the age

of 18. Mohammed as carp. -- Mohammad Asghar. If every... Do you

agree that failure to offer sufficient support will do nothing

in terms of increasing employment opportunities for the young people

of Wales? Let me give you an example. A small retailer said to

me that as a result of that the levy on single used carrier bags he

was saving �2,000 a year. That is a significant amount and I am sure

other retailers are benefiting from that. It is his equivalent of

business rate relief. First Minister, I am sure you will

remember that one of my concerns I have expressed about the future

jobs fund and also jobs growth Wales was the fact that the

placements were six months in length. I was hoping we would be

able to look for ways in which we can improve the sustainability of

those placements. I was lucky enough to visit a mental health

charity which set up an enterprise for young people in my constituency

and I was wondering whether you would consider using some of the

�38 million consequential announced last week to help the creation of

more similar enterprises. That is a matter of discussion between the

parties. The future jobs fund was abolished by the member's party.

That is why jobs growth Wales is designed to pick up some of the

slack when that scheme disappeared. I saw that Labour had produced a

five. Plan to regenerate the economy in Wales and only one of

those points is relevant your government. Namely, a scheme to

help bring capital spending plans forward. When will you announce

that? This is something we are currently considering. We have a

good record of publishing programs to assist people to find employment

as the evidence shows from August and the last few weeks. First

Minister, what assessment has the Welsh government made of the

effects on individuals and public services in Wales of the UK

government's changes to the benefits system? I understand that

you have granted permission for this question to be grouped with

questions 4, 8 and 9. Of course, we have serious reservations about the

UK government's proposed changes to the benefits system. We have

established a ministerial task and Finnish group in order to undertake

a comprehensive assessment of the cumulative affect of the benefit

changes. Be changes proposed to the benefits system are very concerning

indeed and therefore I am pleased to see the commitment in the

programme of government to alleviate their effects. Those

impacted directly include those claiming disability benefits and

those on employment benefits. Those people claiming disability

allowances living in a local government care homes will be

withdrawn. Whilst I accept this is a non devolved issue, and many of

my constituents receive these benefits, would you agree with me

that this will have a very negative impact? I would agree. An

assessment of how negative the impact of these changes that are

imposed by the UK Government is yet to be seen. Were you join with me

in supporting the day of action by disabled people this Saturday as

part of a campaign against the cuts you have already mentioned. It is

estimated that the cuts will see �450 million lost by disabled

people in Wales over a period of four years. Your programme for

government has stated you will attend to alleviate the effects of

changes to the benefits system but how can you do that effectively

without having the powers and resources over these areas

devolved? This is what the ministerial task group will be

doing. May I also support you as regards to the concerns of disabled

people on the changes that are coming from the UK government.

Sandy Mewies. I am sure he will join me in welcoming

representatives from the hardest hit campaign representing the

various disability charities who will be taking part who are in the

Gary today and have come to share their concerns with Assembly

members. You are probably also aware that disabled people in Wales

will lose an estimated �450 million over the next four years due to

benefit changes. Like me, we welcome the fact that members of

all political parties in this chamber have signed the statement

of opinion on this issue which I have raced and we you reassure us

once more of that you will do all you can as a government to

ameliorate the change, the impact of these changes will have on the

people of Wales? Can I welcome those representatives here today?

They will share great concern with us in terms of what these changes

will mean. We believe the changes will be detrimental, as I have

already outlined, which is why the ministerial group will be making an

assessment of those changes. We will also see what we can do to

ameliorate the proposals which have been put forward. Rebecca Evans.

will be marching alongside people with disabilities and their

families on Saturday. The people marching on Saturday represent only

the tip of the iceberg. Many disabled people are to physically,

mentally or financially vulnerable to add their voice to the protest.

How will the Welsh government makes sure it listens to the voice of all

disabled people in its attempt to mitigate cuts? We will be listening

to disabled people and their representative organisations so

there we can hear from as many people as possible about the issues

that affect them. Now that it is Labour policy that people should

not get something for nothing, would be First Minister join me in

congratulating the Westminster government in moving towards a tax

benefits system that will ensure that anyone able to work will

always be better off with a job than unemployed? And that the bold

move to raise basic income tax threshold to �10,000 and the

elimination of punitive marginal tax rates add to 96 % in some

instances that trap people wanting to move from welfare into work are

welcome steps towards eradicating in degeneration witlessness and

poverty which has blighted families and communities in North Wales?

What we are talking about are changes that will penalised

disabled people up. Some of whom can work and want to work, some of

whom are unable to work. The context in which the question was

asked was with regard to the effect on them. It is unfortunate the UK

government feels its disabled people should be penalised. I have

got to say that is not my reading of the UK government's stance

whatsoever. I am not surprised that you are not prepared to offer even

a modicum of agreement to those proposals, despite Ed Miliband's

very robust statement about the fact it needs to be changed. It

would have made uncomfortable reading but I'm sure you would have

read the report on the benefits system. When you're ministerial

group looks at this subject, rather than just looking at it in

inevitably -- negative way to complain, could I urge you to ask

your task group to look at what we should be doing to ensure that we

get poor people out of their poverty trap and workless people

back into work that sustains them financially and emotionally?

course work should pay, nobody would disagree with that, but we're

talking about people who white disabled and they are being

penalised on the basis of these proposals. Those are not my words,

those are their thoughts. I would agree it is important that people

have access to jobs and access to training which is why the UK

government needs to change its mind and make sure it conducts policies

and takes forward policies that provide the jobs and training that

people required. There is no point encouraging people to work if there

is no work there. Both have got a run together. Mark Isherwood.

Question 3. I have got you down on these questions. May I withdraw? I

apologise. The Leader of the Opposition. First Minister, earlier

this year, you outlined two key flagship health policies. One was

extending GP opening hours and the other about health checks for the

over-fifties. However, on questioning of your Health Minister

we are unable to find the costings or the workings of these programmes.

Are you able to provide the costings of these programmes?

is no cost to the GP opening hours. We are asking them to provide a

better service for the people they service and I think that is

absolutely crucial. We are not suggesting GPs should work long

hours or more hours. The same hours but making sure they are more

flexible. You were really trying to tell the chamber that there is no

cost implications for increasing GP opening hours and renegotiating the

GP contract? Time and time again you have put these facts before you,

the National Audit Office came it lasted and said the Welsh NHS will

have the porous settlement of all the NHS services in the UK. You

have brought these policies forward in a document you said was the most

scrutinised documents that had ever been laid before the people of

Wales. That is debatable. Is it not the case that both these policies

were work out on the back of a cigarette packet and you have no

idea how he will implement them and when people might benefit? This is

from a party who worked out their budget proposals on a piece of

paper without any detail at all. The proposal to make sure that GPs'

surgeries are more accessible was widely popular and that's why

people voted for us as a party and not for you. It is a policy that is

popular with the public, when the Leader of the opposition would have

done well to come up with himself. All we are doing is asking GPs to

be more flexible in the hours they work and I think that is perfectly

reasonable. Here we see this morning that there are �20 billion

worth of cuts to the NHS in England, I think the ground has been taken

from underneath them up. National Audit Office in Wales

highlighted, and every other organisation highlighted that your

government is giving the Welsh NHS the poorest settlement in benighted

kingdom. But as you constantly try and reverse the questions -- in at

the United Kingdom. You could not identify what the consequential

work, you were talking about 5 million pound consequential. Euros

a minister in scrutiny last week was acting a bit like a fish out of

water when she was asked about the policy and how it would be

implemented. Is it not the case that time and time again, when your

government has been bringing policies forward, they are not

thought through, they are not costed, and ultimately it is the

Welsh taxpayer who falls foul of that. When is your government going

to stop working these policies out on the back of a cigarette packet?

Let's examine the Leader of the Opposition and what he said. He

keeps demanding �1 billion or more for the NHS. Our policies are well

costed. The people of Wales supported those policies far more

than they supported the policies put forward by his own party. There

is no extra cost to making GPs' surgeries more accessible, we are

simply asking people to be more flexible in the hours they work.

That is perfectly reasonable. It is a shame his party does not spend

more time examining its policies more carefully. Ieuan Wyn Jones.

your budget for next year, you give an additional �83 million to the

health service. But the budget narrative states that the service

in the same year has to make savings of �250 million. That is a

massive some bearing in mind there are cuts in real terms in the

health service. Can you tell us how many hospitals will have to close

and how many services centralised �288 million has been put in the

health service. There are pressures, but that is because of the

financial settlement we received from the UK government. There are

no plans to close hospitals. We want to insure people ensure the

finest of service as possible. you say there is an extra 280

million, that it is over the period of making savings of the two large

and �50 million. The health service have made Sir -- savings every year.

-- to under �50 million. What your own budget narrative States is

third in order to keep within your budget, the service will have to be

transformed. The only way you can transform the service is change the

way in which the service is delivered. There will be

significant changes in the service. What you haven't said it is what

exactly does changes mean. We have said that the scheme will be

published in terms of the way forward, it is true to say, we have

to change the way in which some services are applied because things

change. Some are services exist which are available in GPs's

surgeries. The most efficient and effective way is this. We need to

ensure the people get the finest possible treatment as close to home

as possible. I accept what you say on one level, but the problem is,

so people know how those changes will impact upon them, we have to

tell them what is happening. People have to know exactly what the

government's plans are. When it changes were introduced, the

government said it was clinical reasons that trove that those

changes. What you are acknowledging in your budget is that the only way

you will keep within your budget is by transforming the service. --

drove those changes. Therefore, they are not clinical reasons but

financial reasons. We be completely honest with the people of Wales and

say it is financial and monetary reasons that are driving these

changes? -- will you be completely. People out there are worried about

the health service, and you have to tell them. The way to do this is to

ensure that you are in contact with doctors and nurses and everyone

working within the health service. I think that is the responsible way

of approaching this. More than �6 billion has been invested through

EU regeneration money, and 58 out of the 66th European regions that

to receive this money have got relatively better off. Why is Wales

not one of them? Wales has got better off. If you look at GDP

figures, Wales is better off. When it comes to catching up with the

rest of the UK, there is some way to go, but the progress of the past

decade has been substantial. reality is that despite that huge

injection of money, areas like Latvia and Slovakia have used that

money to become relatively richer. Whale, however -- Wales, however,

has got poorer. The EU commissioner stated, no one is more disappointed

than the representatives of the Welsh government themselves. A

usenet you do not find these figures are disappointing? -- are

you not saying. We received a -- we received an award from the European

Commission. If you look at the training programmes in Wales, if

you look at the money spent wisely around Wales, you can see funding

have made a significant difference to the economy of Wales. Just look,

for example, at great ideas that have helped people stay in work.

am glad that the First Minister can justify himself by claiming that

because he has had a reward for filling out his forms probably from

the EU, then that makes up for the fact we have not used that money to

the best possible effect. If these figures are are not as bad as you

say, it is surprising that we have not seen ourselves do better like

other regions that had the same money. But, in the future, how

confident are you that you will reach the targets you have set for

the current round of funding, and we guarantee that at the end of the

round, west Wales and the families will have become richer as a result

of the Investment they are receiving? -- valleys. Yes. We are

all in this together. But I am disappointed with the leader of the

Liberal Democrats when she set -- suggests the money has not been

well spent. Go and talk to people who have benefited from this money.

You will see they have benefited greatly from the use of funds that

to make sure they stay in jobs and continue to have jobs. Will be

First Minister provide an update on what the was government is doing to

tackle poverty in Wales? communities first programme will be

a key part of action. I welcomed the world government's commitment

to tackling poverty, particularly child poverty. But do you share my

anxiety and concerns over the Fiscal Studies report that

indicated all the gains made in lifting children out of poverty are

likely to be lost over the current period as a direct result of

government policy? Can I ask what assessment have you made on the

impact those policies will have on this government's commitment on

tried to lift children out of poverty? It is inevitable that the

UK government's policies will affect our policies in Wales. We

are considering how to take forward our commitments in dealing with

poverty. Child poverty in Wales is not decreasing. It is the worst in

the UK, and statistics have said that child poverty rate in Wales

are likely to rise again. The children have told me these figures

must act as a wake-up call for the Welsh government, because we risk

falling short of the commitment to eradicate child poverty by 2020. We

you outline your plans to meet this crucial target? We have the anti-

poverty action plan, which we will be taking forward, as I have said.

Closing of a residential area so children can play safely is very

popular in New York. Open space and money is scarce, and some

activities cannot go forward. Would you look at extending these

benefits to Welsh communities? It helps bind communities in a spirit

of togetherness. In Wales, we will be come and sing a measure -- we

will be commencing a measure, and secure play opportunities for

children in their areas. This is one area that we want to examine.

The bank network in Wales is extant -- expanding. On the one hand, the

expansion allows more people to access help, but at the same time,

it is not good that so many people in Wales are not able to afford the

basics of life. The food bank is dependent on donations, and

volunteers, and demand is set to rocket for the reasons outlined

earlier with the changes to benefits. Can you explore what the

Welsh government can provide, so that this service can be fully

expanded? I would be more than happy to talk with representatives

of those running food banks across Wales. As you consider expanding

the scheme, would do it consider expanding the scheme so that every

child could benefit from the scheme, rather than that the scheme should

be restricted to geographical areas? We are considering what is

the best and most effective way of doubling the number of families

that benefit from that scheme quiz --. Have you had an opportunity to

read the reports that have been published over the last weekend,

regarding the increase in profits that have been made on the back of

every company by private energy companies? In a period where cuts

in winter fuel payments to pensioners are being made, don't

you think it is time that the Westminster government started to

stop the meaningless talk with the energy companies, and insist those

companies' share those profits with those customers who truly need

their help? It is important that the UK government ensures that they

actually take action regarding what they say. But it is difficult, with

the competitive energy companies in the UK, but in many European

countries, there is no competition at all. It is a problem,

particularly with some businesses. Businesses where there are major

payment to energy companies, so it is important that customers should

see a reduction in the price of energy, but businesses must benefit

as well. What plans to the Welsh government have for the development

of renewable energy and Wales? action we will take to accelerate

the transition to low carbon energy generation are set out in a though

carbon that revolution. It is important we take advantage of the

potential that exists. Two wind farms are being developed, and they

impact my constituency. Why the is it desirable to see and 80 megawatt

farm been determined in farm, but that they Westminster ministers

should make a decision on a farm that is larger? It is important

that this is considered by the UK government. Do you agree with me

that we shouldn't put all our energy eggs in the same basket, and

to concentrate on the poorer fruition on a wind farms across

Wales is the wrong approach? -- play at -- proliferation. And would

you agree with me that Marine Energy offers a potential for

contribution to our energy needs in Wales, in addition to a potential

flood protection benefits? Would you join me in visiting a potential

scheme in my constituency later on in the year? The difficulty is that

the certificate but is controlled in the UK don't make it attractive.

What needs to be done is increase the rocks to the same level as

Scotland. Scotland has made it easier to attract investment. We

need control of those certificates in Wales, or failing that, it we

need the UK government to make sure that it makes it more attractive to

us. Modern energy is clean, and efficient. They produce energy for

a our homes, schools and communities. There are local

economic benefits as well. I welcomed the action the Welsh

government is taking to promote investment. But would you agree

that if the Tories were as keen to meet the renewable energy targets,

surely they would be calling on They are. May I welcome the

introduction of the nests scheme to help the most impoverished people

in Wales. Particularly in eliminated fuel poverty. I wonder

if this scheme could be extended on a temporary basis to people with a

systems that are not operating. It is a very important in the coming

months, particularly the tough winter we may have ahead, that all

households have access to good forms of heating. British Gas to

manage the scheme have a processes in place to provide temporary he

dares to households awaiting heating installations under the

scheme who have no alternative means of heating their home. They

can be provided within 24 hours of request. There is a fast track

service for householders who are particularly vulnerable. Will the

First Minister outline Welsh government priorities for health

services in tall pine? priorities for the NHS in Wales

were set out in our programme for government. The specialist and

critical care centre planned for confined is a fundamental for the

future of healthcare delivery. I know that local people were

delighted when the scheme was given the go-ahead at the end of the last

Assembly and the news earlier this month that detailed planning for

the project is continuing was a further boost for campaigners. But

as we know, there are enormous pressures on capital spending to to

the cuts forced on us by the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats

in Westminster. Will you take this opportunity to reaffirm your

government's commitment to providing high quality healthcare

through schemes such as this? await the outlined business case

from Nye Bevan local health board and when that is received we can

take it forward. William Graham. How is your government working with

partners to monitor the most effective parts of the programme so

that other progressive care packages can be implemented in

Wales? It is an excellent example of co-operation and collaboration

and we're very seen -- keen to see that kind of a model reproduced

across Wales there. I am delighted that you are continuing with the

One Wales commitment to be critical care unit but are you aware that

the local health board is closing down a number of minor injuries

units across went, including Torfaen, and can you tell us why

local accountability has never materialised? The problem with the

minor injuries unit is finding doctors, unfortunately. It is not

alone in that regard. But when it is not possible to run the unit

safely and effectively, there are difficult decisions that a local

health board have to take. There needs to be better recruitment of

doctors who are accident and emergency specialist. Julie Morgan.

What consideration has the First Minister given to the effect of the

welfare benefit cuts on people who are disabled in Wales. I would

mention the answers I gave to earlier questions but our programme

does demonstrate our commitment to mitigating the impact of the

welfare benefit cuts on disabled people. Is the First Minister aware

that the introduction of the personal independence payment

instead of disability living allowance will mean that all

applicants will now be means tested, including those who were previously

automatically afforded the highest rate such as people who want double

amputees. Many of these people will lose out. What can you do to

mitigate these affects? I know that the Deputy Minister has raised

concerns over the past few months regarding the adverse impact on

people in Wales in receipt of disability living allowance. This

is why so many disabled people are concerned about seeing the end of

that allowance. Nick Ramsay. Would you join with me and share my

concern that the current UK government has been put in the

position of having to make a whole series of cuts across the board.

That is due to the financial mismanagement of your party in

power over 10 years previously. Would you agree that the universal

credit, which is due for launch in 2013, will actually provide

disabled people with a support, is it not better than we support

people into work through incentives and support rather than a what the

previous Labour government did? Time will tell. I am surprised the

old chestnut is still being used. The reality of the situation is

this, today we see inflation of 5.2 %, the highest for many years. We

have seen unemployment rise under a Conservative and Liberal Democrats

government. We see no growth in the economy under this government,

despite being told there would be growth in the economy. The country

is stagnant, the UK government needs to change. Simon Thomas.

Despite the empty rhetoric of the Conservatives, there is a real

division in the chamber between those who want to protect the most

vulnerable in society and those looking at the easiest target to

pay the bank is bonuses and their excesses. Does he share my concern

as regards universal credit that the proposal to cut the disability

element of the child tax credit from �54 per week to �27 per week,

costing disabled families, families who have disabled children, nearly

�1,500 per year. How does that help people get into work? If I don't

think I can put it more strongly than the number already has. The

reality is, it is those people who have a police many of whopping at

the most. But we should not expect anything... One of the issues

around the reform of disabled benefits is related to the

assessment process and the contracts which were set up under

previous governments and, as I believe, about 70 % against these

assessments are successful, indicating there was a clear

problem in the way those assessments work being carried out

and the outcome of those assessments. Would you consider

making representations to the UK government about how that can be

reformed? Yes, I am more than prepared to do that. Anything that

makes it easier on disabled people, clearly will support that. Angela

Burns. Will the First Minister make a statement on the delivery of

health services in West Wales. NHS aims to provide health services

which are safe, sustainable, effective and of the highest

quality. I direct this question at you as I am hoping you will be able

to bring to this whole debate some joined-up thinking. My concern with

the delivery of health services in West Wales is that it is a rural

area and is very different to delivering health services in Metro

land. The view from Pembrokeshire is different to the view from

Cardiff. Will you be able to work on making sure that the minister

for health and the minister for transport can work together to make

sure that services that are being leached eastwards away from West

Wales are actually able to be got at by the patients that need them

because the public transport, the roads are so course, it is almost

impossible for an elderly person in somewhere like Pembrokeshire to get

to Morriston Hospital for any kind of treatment. Ms we have this

joined-up thinking, West Wales will suffer. These are factors we will

be considering over the next few months. It is important people are

able to access services as early as possible but there are some

services that can only be delivered in large hospitals because it is

safer and more effective that way. But it is important people are able

to travel to those hospitals. We will be looking at that issue.

That's it for First Minister's Questions this week. You can find

out even more on what's happening in the National Assembly on BBC

Wales' Democracy Live online coverage. Just go to

bbc.co.uk/walespolitics. Our political correspondent Tomos

Livingstone is here. We have had a few weeks of Carwyn Jones first is

Andrew RT Davies. It is a developing relationship, shall we

stay. It was very combative stuff and from Andrew RT Davies. Carwyn

Jones is still trying to work out how to play Andrew RT Davies. He is

still getting quite animated in his responses, maybe not as much as he

was on their first outing earlier this year. I would not go as far as

to say Carwyn Jones is rattled in any way but it is a lively exchange.

More lively than it used to be when Nick Bourne was here. Let's have a

quick look ahead to what is coming up tomorrow. There will be a

attempt to ban parents backing their children. It is not the first

time this has happened. -- smacking. There will be another vote in the

chamber. It will not be binding vote. Assembly members now feel

they have the legal power to ban this should they want to. Most

parties feel it is an issue of conscience and the divide is very

clear. People like Andrew RT Davies say it is set to families to decide

how to discipline their children. Others say this is entirely

appropriate, for the state to step in and give protection to children.

That's it for today. But don't worry, you haven't got long to wait