22/11/2011 am.pm


22/11/2011

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Good afternoon. Welcome to the programme. We will take you over to

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the Senedd in a moment for our coverage of First Minister's

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Questions. It is non-stop questions on am.pm this week as tomorrow from

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11.30 we will bring you live coverage of Welsh Questions and

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Prime Minister's Questions from the House of Commons. Let's not wish

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our lives away! Why don't you get in touch with us. You can do that

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while we are on air. The address is @walespolitics or you can send an

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e-mail to [email protected]. I have my am.pm mug of tea at the ready to

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watch First Minister's Questions. Let's go over to the Senedd.

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move to First Minister's Questions. Rebecca Evans. Will the First

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Minister make a statement on Marine Conservation Zones? Yes, we are

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aiming to have a small number of highly protected Marine

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Conservation Zones to support the marine ecosystem and of course

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enhance resilience. Thank you. I warmly welcome the important

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contribution that the zones will make to resilience of ecosystems in

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Welsh seas. Given their expected small size, there is still a big

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challenge ahead. Will the Government commit to introducing

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further zones after the initial designation and how else will the

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Government support Welsh seas? I can say we have consistently said

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we will keep under review the need for further Marine Conservation

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Zones and I can reaffirm that commitment. But it is also right to

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say that we are already making a significant contribution to

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protecting Welsh seas through our existing extensive range of Marine

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Protected Areas which cover 36% of our seas. First Minister, given

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there has been no real development on the marine planning act since

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autumn last year, can you advise me if there are any blockages with it

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being finalised? I didn't hear that question. First Minister, given

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there's been no real development on the Marine Planning Act since last

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year, can you advise me if there are any blockages with it being

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finalised? Right. Yes, there are no blockages but clearly we take the

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view when it comes to marine planning, particularly for energy

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consent, that our powers should be extended here in Wales. First

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Minister, with regard to management... Has the given

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considered delivering the management of those zones by the

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Marine and Coastal Access Act? we are looking at the best way of

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ensuring the management of MCZs and I suspect it will take an

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examination of a number of items of legislation to ensure that the

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management system that is in place is the most effective. Diolch yn

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fawr. Following the deferral announced in England by the

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minister, recently, I am pleased to hear the First Minister intends to

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proceed in Wales. Would he agree that the Marine Conservation Zones

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are important not in terms of fisheries conservation and that is

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very important in terms of European policy, but also in terms of our

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marine industries, including the importance of further investment in

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wind energy offshore? Well, it's exceptionally important that we

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have an integrated system as regards the development and

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conservation of the seas and that means that the system in Wales will

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be the same as the one in Scotland. Question 2. What plans does the

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First Minister have to encourage economic growth in South Wales?

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plans are set out in the Programme for Government. Thank you. With the

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prospect of electrification of the commuter rail services in-and-out

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of Cardiff getting closer, would he agree to negotiate with the

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Business Department in Westminster to a redefining of the labour

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market boundaries, removing the distinction between Cardiff and the

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Vale and the Valleys because so we have a city region on the lines of

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Greater Manchester? You will be aware there is a Task and Finish

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Group which will inform our future approach to this. That is due to

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report back in the early part of next year. The director of Wales

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expressed concern last year that no economic growth in Welsh

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departments have little understanding concerning the impact

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their activities have concerning competitiveness of the Welsh

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economy. Given that this competitiveness is central to

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economic growth, what step have you taken to ensure that your

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administration understands the cross-portfolio nature of this

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important issue? We understand the need for competitiveness which is

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why we are ensuring we are investing in people's skills,

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particularly through the Welsh Jobs Fund. What we will not do is

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support moves that will undermine the rights of workers such as the

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reduction of the National Minimum Wage or the removal of the right to

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gain compensation for unfair dismissal unlike your party. First

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Minister, you have been at pains to say that there is no extra money

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available for the economic stimulus that we in Plaid Cymru have been

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kauing for. Much-needed investment -- have been calling for. Much-

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needed investment could be provided if the money that Wales returns to

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the Treasury is part of the housing revenue account subsidy could

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remain here. The money is not insignificant. It is estimated to

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be between �75 million and �80 million each year. Do you share the

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view that we are being treated unfairly on this? If you do agree,

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what representations have you made to your counterparts in Westminster

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for this scheme to be scrapped in Wales as is happening in England?

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Well, it isn't fair and that of course is a view taken by your own

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Housing Minister in the One Wales Government. This Government's view

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remains the same as that of the previous Government. Peter Black.

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Thank you, Presiding Officer. You know that now you have failed to

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put an enterprise zone in Swansea based around the university, as has

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been requested, there is very little in place which is going to

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be able to turn the work that is going on in the higher education

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sector into jobs and in future investment in that particular area.

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Can I ask you what plans you have to put right that particular

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problem? As we have said on many occasions before, we are actively

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considering new enterprise zones and where they might be placed

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bearing in mind that it is important we don't have too many

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otherwise their effect is diminished. We are still examining,

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the Minister is still examining where new enterprise zones might be

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placed if that is appropriate. PRESIDING OFFICER: Julie James.

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take your commitment to using all the levers in the Welsh, all the

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levers that you have to encourage economic growth very seriously.

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Would you agree that when those levers are held by Westminster,

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that they should also seek to encourage economic growth here in

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Wales by investing in rail electrification all the way to

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Swansea? It is crucial we see the UK Government playing its part. It

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can't be right that somehow all the the responsibility of the eurozone.

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The German economy is doing far better than the UK economy. It is

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at the heart of the eurozone. The UK Government needs to rethink its

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macroeconomic policy to create real growth and jobs in the UK.

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PRESIDING OFFICER: We move to questions from the Party Leaders.

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We start with Ieuan Wyn Jones. his final budget, Alistair Darling

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predicted that growth for 2011 would be 3.5%, and next year it

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would be 3%. Mervyn King said last week that we would be lucky to get

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growth of 1% this year and 1% next year. It is pretty clear the

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economy is in something of a crisis. We in Wales now have an

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unemployment at a record high, as high as it was in the teeth of the

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recession. We have also had more young people out of work with one

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in four 16 to 24-year-olds out of work. First Minister, have you made

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representations to the Chancellor as to what he should do in his

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Autumn Statement next week? If so, would you tell assembly what you

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have done? Well, we have regular meetings with Government ministers,

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but we also take responsibility ourselves. One of the arguments

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that's been put is somehow the Government, the Welsh Government is

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sitting back and doing nothing. Last week we saw an announcement of

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�55 million that will help businesses. We will key an

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announcement this week. We will see a further announcement of the �39

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million that has come to us as a result of the council tax freeze

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and it will build on the budget we have which is a budget for jobs and

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growth. My complaint isn't that you haven't been critical of the

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Westminster Government, it is that you haven't put a credible plan in

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its place. That is the reason I have been requesting you. I fully

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understand why you want to criticise Westminster. It is also

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incumbent on you to tell us if the Westminster Government was to do

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something in its Autumn Statement how that should help Wales. Let me

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tell you what John Swinney did. The Scottish Finance Minister at the

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weekend called on the Chancellor to borrow an extra �20 become for

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capital investment. -- �20 billion for capital investment. The UK

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Chancellor is looking for a �50 billion fund making sure you have

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public and private finance very similar to the Build For Wales

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scheme that Plaid Cymru put forward at the Assembly election. This is

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the kind of innovative, bold and radical plan that we should be

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asking the UK Government to do in relation to Wales. Why haven't you

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First Minister been doing like the Scottish Government pressing the

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Westminster Government for real action to boost jobs in Wales?

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have. We have been talking to the UK Government about the �50 billion

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pot and Welsh projects that might benefit from it. We do the talking

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in private rather than broadcasting in public. Isn't that interesting?

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The letter that you have published, and you have told us about, is your

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latest letter to David Cameron. Is it about the dire state of the

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economy? Is it about the latest unemployment figures? Is it about

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the potentially lost generation of young people? No, it is about the

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way we elect members to this Assembly. I put it to you, First

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Minister, the only jobs you are worried about are the Labour

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backbenchers over there that will be losing as a result of the

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election. First Minister, what does this say about the priorities of

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the Labour Party in Wales? leader of Plaid Cymru gives the

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impression it is the only letter I have sent to David Cameron. I'm

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surprised Plaid Cymru's contempt for the views of the people of

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Wales. They support the Conservatives in trying to change

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the electoral system here via Westminster. That is what comes of

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having MPs that are too London- centric. PRESIDING OFFICER: We now

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move to questions from the leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats.

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Thank you. First Minister, the latest Government statistics show

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that there are 45 consultant posts in the Welsh NHS that have been

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vacant for three months or more. Six months earlier only 11

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consultant posts were vacant for that same period of time. A lack of

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consultants of course means cancelled operations and patients

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denied the clinical expertise they need. Why is this situation

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deteriorating under your leadership? The reality is, it's

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becoming difficult to attract, it's always been difficult to attract

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consultants further west this Wales. It is particularly true now. What

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are we doing? We are launching a campaign to attract doctors into

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Wales, it is important that Wales isn't seen as a closed shop for

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graduates from a particular university. That campaign will seek

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to attract doctors into Wales for medical reasons and for quality of

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life reasons. It is right to say that in that way, I believe we will

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fill most of those posts. Presiding Officer, the famous recruitment

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plan that the First Minister has been discussing and talking about

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in this Chamber for many months. There are no details for that. It

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is not only consultants, let's look at vacant doctor posts. The BMA say

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there are 400 vacant doctor posts in Wales and the BMA's Richard

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Lewis says the waiting lists will rise because of the considerable

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number of vacancies of doctors at all levels. The number of people

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waiting more than nine months for treatment, which is the maximum

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referral treatment time target has risen for the fifth month in a row.

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I raised this issue with you 18 months ago. You are promising

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action again now. In 12 months' time how many of those vacant

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doctor role also be filled by your plan? I mentioned this two weeks'

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ago. Let me tell the leader of the Liberal Democrats something that

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will help us relaxing the ridiculous immigration laws that

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have prevented so many doctors coming to the UK. One of the

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problems we have, it is the same about students and many

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professional people, in an attempt to cut down on what is seen as

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illegal immigration we find there are qualified professionals who

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have staffed the NHS for the past 40 years who are unable to come to

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Wales to fill those posts. Yes, we will do our bit. It is also true

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that the UK Government must ensure that qualified professionals are

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able to come to work in the UK without bowing to a misplaced sense

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Of course, there might be a bit more conviction in the first

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minister's argument if those proposals were not first grown up

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by Labour's own Liam Byrne when he was in government. The reality is,

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18 months ago there were fewer vacancies and you promised action

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then. You describe the problem as being historic. It is not historic,

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it is here and now. Consultant and doctor, and nurse vacancies. Let me

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give you one example of what that means. Last month, one health board

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had to temporarily closed the minor injuries unit in one town because

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of lack of staff. Patients are putting up at longer waiting times,

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reduced patient care and the NHS is shelling out money for expensive

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locums and temporary cover at huge expense. Do you not agree with me

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that this historic problem you talk about, or shortages across the NHS

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workforce, is now reaching crisis point? The Lib Dems have been in

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government for a year-and-a-half and still it is the fault of the

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previous government. You must take responsibility. It is no good

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saying, a previous Labour minister said this, that all the other. The

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reality is that as a Conservative Lib Dem UK government, it was that

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government that imposed the changes on immigration controls and as a

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result, we find ourselves where those people who historically used

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to stuff the NHS are not coming to the UK it all because of an need to

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the panda -- to pander to the Daily Mail. First Minister, it is nearly

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two years since he became First Minister, and in that time, not 18

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and E -- acts in an emergency department has hit the target of

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people waiting for hours and less. What are you doing to recognise

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this? That is not a fact. It is a fact. If you look at other waiting

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times, orthopaedic waiting times, when you first became First

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Minister there were 11 patients waiting, that figure today stands

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at 5344 patients. Do you agree with your health minister when she said

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in the summer that the these are waiting lists were all -- would all

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but be eliminated by next March? Yes, and I will give you two

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reasons. First, the reality is we put money into orthopedic waiting

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times in May, it takes some time for money to have an effect on the

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waiting lists. That is happening. He fails to mention most waiting

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lists are on the way down. They went up for time because there was

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an enormous Spike in demand, but we put that money in to cover that. He

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fails to mention also that in England, waiting times are

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rocketing. Time and time again, it you refer back to England in this

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chamber, at 74 times since September when responding to First

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Minister's Questions. It would be nice for you to actually take

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responsibility for what is in your portfolio in your area of

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responsibility. You have actually said that outside of this chamber,

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when you said on Capri -- sharp end, what happens in Westminster is of

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no concern to us as a government. When are you going to start acting

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on that and delivering or the patience and medics in the NHS in

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Wales? You ask members of NHS whether they would prefer to work

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in England or Wales, they say they will prefer to work in Wales. I

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take no lessons for -- from the leader of the opposition when I see

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the Prime Minister week after week mentioning what is happening in

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Wales. If it is so important, tell him not to mention it, he is your

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master after all. What discussions has the Welsh government had

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regarding emerge it is a this is in Wales? The relevant ministers of

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course I hold discussions with officials. They are in regular

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contact with the appropriate services. I am grateful to the

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press minister for that response. I have received comments regarding

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the use of the eco responder its units provided in emergency

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services. The purpose of these units is to divide swifter response

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services. But I am given to understand these units are not used

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at the airport capacity, and some calls are not transferred to them

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at all. -- at their full capacity. In some cases, this can lead to

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ambulances being called from further away than the Cote

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responders. In these circumstances, could the first minister look at

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the situation to make sure these units are used where appropriate,

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because, of course, they do do excellent work in our communities?

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Of course, I cannot say that this government will work with the -- I

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can say that this government will work with the ambulance service to

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make sure the ambulance service is used in every part of Wales. I am

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sure like all of us you agree police are vital part of the

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University -- the emergency services in Wales, so training

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announced last week is excellent news, it will give support to

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communities in Wales with community support officers. Anti-social

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behaviour is disrupting people in my constituency, and the delivery

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of PCSOs helped the burden caused by the cuts from the UK government.

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Do you know when the first tranche of training will be in operation?

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Yes, night of November, -- full deployment will deploy on all

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forces from April next year. The training begins in November.

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view of the continuing failure of the Welsh ambulance service to meet

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its emergency targets, what would be a government's response to the

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proposal to transfer the ambulance services to be control of the

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health service? I have seen nothing to suggest that would improve

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matters, imposing artificial birders -- boundaries on the

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ambulance service needs to be looked at very carefully to make

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sure it does not deteriorate. latest response times of the large

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ambulance service shows that the service -- they were hitting the

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eight-minute target in the North Wales reason. It has also met its

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targets in 65% of the time. What efforts are being made to improve

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performance in North Wales this Christmas and make sure I knew him

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-- more ambulances respond within eight minutes? This shows it has

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been done, and it illustrates the false premise of the question that

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was put by the leader of the opposition. Could the minister

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provide... Our plans and priorities for Torfaen can be summarised by

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the government. There has been a great deal of concern amongst my

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constituents about the proposed closure of the minor injuries unit

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at the County Hospital. I vividly chaired a packed meeting where

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local residents expressed concerns about the decision, in particular,

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or whether GPs will fill gaps in primary care services currently

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provided on the unit. Local representatives have called for a

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halt and the closure progress, and I was pleased the ministers were

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raising this issue with the local health board. Will you agree to

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discuss this manner -- matter with the health minister to endure these

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concerns are fully addressed? understand you have expressed your

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concerns to the health board and the health minister. The health

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minister has agreed to discuss your concerned with the chair and chief

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executive of the board. You have already answered my question which

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might honourable lady... What discussions has the world

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government had with the UK government about the Welfare Reform

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Bill? These are none the bolt issues, but we have been monitoring

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the situation closely. -- these are not devolved issues. Ministers are

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working through eight number of DW peak Forums to see what the effect

0:24:010:24:08

on Wales would be. Have plans to devolve the discretionary part of

0:24:080:24:12

the fund to weld been fleshed out? While the coalition is abandoning

0:24:120:24:16

its responsibility for the scheme, we have an opportunity in Wales to

0:24:160:24:19

reform what has always been a safety net for the vulnerable

0:24:190:24:25

people, tying it in with our wider policy agenda. I can say that a

0:24:250:24:30

consultation on the options for a replacement arrangement in Wales,

0:24:300:24:33

following the evolution of the Social Fund, is being developed by

0:24:330:24:40

officials -- following the devolution of the Social Fund.

0:24:400:24:44

First Minister, fact, Wales is now the poorest part of the United

0:24:440:24:50

Kingdom. Yet in this chamber, every week, as my leader has pointed out,

0:24:500:24:57

you unfounded the blame the UK government. This is a cover of your

0:24:570:25:02

own government's inactivity of failure. You continuously failed to

0:25:020:25:06

accept any responsibility for this, and it was your Labour government

0:25:060:25:11

that moved billions of pounds around the tax benefits system. In

0:25:110:25:16

an attempt to address poverty, yet forced thousands of... Are you

0:25:160:25:22

coming to the question? The UK government in West Minister is

0:25:220:25:28

actually brave enough now to tackle this minister -- this issue head on.

0:25:280:25:34

Where is the question? It is difficult, when... No, it is.

0:25:340:25:40

Difficult, ask the question. Do not support this is irresponsible. Is

0:25:400:25:43

it's your duty to support the initiative of the UK government for

0:25:430:25:47

the sake of our Welsh families here that you have forced into poverty

0:25:470:25:55

was back? I think the term a parallel universe has some

0:25:550:26:00

resonance here. What we have seen since we saw the election of the

0:26:000:26:03

government last year his record levels of youth unemployment across

0:26:030:26:08

the UK. Unemployment going up across the UK, attacks on

0:26:080:26:16

employment right across the UK, we have seen a tax on benefits on --

0:26:160:26:21

across the UK. Apparently according to one minister, it is to do with

0:26:210:26:25

welfare benefits. I tell you what it is a moral, all the party

0:26:250:26:29

opposite do his attack people on benefit. They attack people on low

0:26:290:26:35

pay. They leave the fat cats, the executives, untouched. Why? Because

0:26:350:26:39

they fund them. We are BP -- Party of people who are struggling,

0:26:390:26:48

people on low pay, p -- they look after the rich. TRANSLATION: Thank

0:26:480:26:53

you very much. I am not quite certain in what way the Labour

0:26:530:26:56

government attacked the fat cats when they were in government, but

0:26:560:27:02

that is another matter. I am sure the Welfare Reform Bill will impact

0:27:020:27:06

badly on the lives of many people in Wales, so the question is, in

0:27:060:27:09

what way is your government and your ministers, have been what I

0:27:090:27:16

have they tried to influence the contents of that bill in order to

0:27:160:27:20

safeguard is one of a people? TRANSLATION: It we are working with

0:27:200:27:28

Biddy debut peak -- the DW p so we can see how these changes impact on

0:27:280:27:32

people. We want to make sure we use every tool available to us to help

0:27:320:27:39

them. At the same time that the welfare reform proposals are taking

0:27:400:27:46

�2 billion out of the pocket of the poorest families in Wales? The same

0:27:460:27:51

government is cutting its legal aid proposals that would help those

0:27:510:27:56

families deal with the debt into which they will be plunged. Will

0:27:560:27:59

you join organisations in Wales in condemning these proposals and the

0:27:590:28:02

effect they will have on some of the most disadvantaged communities

0:28:020:28:06

and amongst the most needy families in our land? I work within that

0:28:070:28:13

system for 10 years, and I can say that the legal aid is not available

0:28:130:28:22

for people who cannot afford it. It is a false saving, because people

0:28:220:28:26

will represent themselves and it will cost more in advocacy. It is

0:28:270:28:31

typical of the party opposite that all they want to do is insured the

0:28:310:28:37

rich get access to justice and the poor can go to hell. Will the first

0:28:370:28:40

minister make a statement on the local authority job evaluation

0:28:400:28:47

process? Yes, they are matters for local authorities but they insure

0:28:470:28:52

that local authorities are able to demonstrate a commitment to equal

0:28:520:28:57

pay. First Minister, it is frankly quite shocking that in your own

0:28:570:29:00

constituency, the label run -- Labour-run local authority is

0:29:000:29:06

proposing pay cut of up to 50% without pay protection. They are

0:29:060:29:10

refusing to honour back pay which could end up costing citizens' lot

0:29:100:29:14

-- millions in lawyer's fees, and this while the council leader

0:29:140:29:19

dismisses the concerns as inevitable and fails to take

0:29:190:29:24

responsibility by calling it an officer led process. That remind me

0:29:240:29:31

of "the thick of it". Will you stand with the staff of the council

0:29:310:29:35

and call urgently with the Bridgend council leader to start the process

0:29:350:29:38

from scratch, engage with the unions so that staff can be given

0:29:380:29:44

the respect they have not been given to date? I have met with the

0:29:440:29:47

council cabinet on many occasions and they are keen for a fair

0:29:470:29:50

settlement. I have also led to the unions and many members of the

0:29:500:29:55

public on this Aegean -- on this issue, and discussed it with them.

0:29:550:29:59

In terms of discussing it with the unions, a meeting with the cabinet,

0:29:590:30:03

I believe that is the most effective way of dealing with this

0:30:030:30:07

issue rather than making pronouncements in the press. First

0:30:070:30:12

Minister, in your meetings with Bridgend County Borough Council,

0:30:120:30:16

did you at any point ask them why they were so late in starting this

0:30:160:30:23

job evaluation process? Bay was one of the last in Wales to do it. Are

0:30:230:30:30

you satisfied that the changes that a likely to happen to 25% of the

0:30:300:30:33

workers in that council are down to genuine job evaluation, or is there

0:30:330:30:39

an element of economic expedience seat in this? The job evaluation

0:30:390:30:42

scheme will cost more money than the present salary bill, it is no

0:30:420:30:45

saving for the council. It is important the settlement is fair.

0:30:450:30:49

That is what people want to see. You criticise the lack of action in

0:30:490:30:56

the past. York council -- your party ran the council between 2004

0:30:560:31:06
0:31:060:31:09

and 2008. And they did nothing for Diolch, Llywdd. A letter from the

0:31:090:31:13

Chief Executive of the council says there is a right for anyone over 55

0:31:130:31:18

to receive an early pension which isn't reduced and these retirements

0:31:180:31:22

will create vie can Sis for staff to apply for promotion. However,

0:31:220:31:29

after one application from one head teacher -- vacancies for staff to

0:31:290:31:33

apply for promotion. In a church school they were told the process

0:31:330:31:38

wouldn't have an impact on them as this has an impact on every member

0:31:380:31:40

of administrative staff in Carmarthenshire schools, will the

0:31:400:31:45

First Minister agree this is unfair as they all make contribution to

0:31:450:31:53

the local authority pension fund? It's true, of course, that teachers

0:31:530:32:03
0:32:030:32:07

are part of employment and superannuation system covering

0:32:080:32:15

England and Wales. It would be best for me to write to you with a

0:32:150:32:19

comprehensive reply. Thank you. First Minister, in my view, job

0:32:190:32:24

evaluation has a long delayed process of about implementing

0:32:240:32:27

single status which should have been dealt with several years ago.

0:32:270:32:35

It is about dealing with systemic discrimination in the pay system.

0:32:360:32:41

Do you share my view that the best way to resolve these hugely

0:32:410:32:44

practically difficult issues setting aside the fact that equal

0:32:440:32:49

pay law is in my view disfingional and "not fit for purpose", the best

0:32:490:32:53

way to resolve these is negotiation with recognised trade unions with

0:32:530:32:58

the aim of eliminating that pay discrimination? The issues you

0:32:580:33:08
0:33:080:33:13

raise will be for respective employee relation forums. PRESIDING

0:33:130:33:19

OFFICER: Llyr Huws Gruffydd. Will the First Minister make a statement

0:33:190:33:27

on the agriculture industry? I am firmly committing. Thank you for

0:33:270:33:35

that response. With the demise of the farming group last week, there

0:33:350:33:45
0:33:450:33:47

is concern however about the impact that went into the handling of the

0:33:470:33:51

urgent consideration to what support the Welsh Government can

0:33:510:33:56

provide to ensure that this important service provided by Plaid

0:33:560:34:06
0:34:060:34:11

Cymru to Welsh farmers can continue? I will. Diolch, Llywdd.

0:34:110:34:14

The European regulations on electronic identification of sheep

0:34:140:34:19

are widely recognised as an appalling example of unnecessary

0:34:190:34:24

regulation which adds many pounds to the cost of sheep farmers whilst

0:34:240:34:27

bringing little economic benefit to the industry or indeed improvements

0:34:270:34:31

in disease control. In the light of this, will you join me in welcoming

0:34:310:34:36

the UK Government's recent efforts to obtain a derogation from

0:34:360:34:40

individual sheep recording until 2016 and do you agree that this

0:34:400:34:45

approach will be welcomed by farmers who are experiencing

0:34:450:34:47

enormous difficulties with the inaccuracy of this technology?

0:34:470:34:51

I do. We have supported successive UK governments in their efforts to

0:34:510:34:54

get a derogation, bearing in mind the nature of sheep farming,

0:34:550:34:58

particularly in Wales, but also in other parts of the UK. We will

0:34:580:35:04

continue to do so. It is right to point out that the practicalities

0:35:040:35:11

of sheep EID outweigh the benefits in term s of the state of present

0:35:110:35:15

technology. Diolch, Llywdd. It is a matter of public record the party

0:35:150:35:18

opposite supported EID in sheep and therefore I think in the previous

0:35:180:35:22

assembly, therefore I found that question a little surprising. I

0:35:220:35:28

wanted to move to the issue of EID in cattle and I want to seek your

0:35:280:35:32

reassurance to farmers and hauliers throughout Wales that should that

0:35:320:35:37

proposal come forward, that there will be a determined effort to

0:35:370:35:42

reduce the bureaucratic burden on farmers throughout Wales rather

0:35:420:35:47

than an additional burden arising out of that reform? Thank you. I

0:35:470:35:49

heard your question above the dispute that was taking place

0:35:490:35:53

between your party and the Conservatives! I very much welcome

0:35:530:35:59

that! But in terms of cattle, BCMS has been in place for a number of

0:35:590:36:04

years following the controls that were impolzed at after BSE. It is -

0:36:040:36:10

- impolzed after BSE. It is a row - - imposed after BSE. It is a robust

0:36:100:36:15

system. It provided us with a robust tracing system for cattle

0:36:150:36:21

that at that time didn't exist for sheep. First Minister, one of the

0:36:210:36:23

issues within the sector that currently concerns me and many

0:36:230:36:28

others is the changes to European Union regulations concerning the

0:36:280:36:32

welfare of laying hens and the potential for producers in other EU

0:36:320:36:40

countries to flout the cage ban. Can I ask you, please, First

0:36:400:36:44

Minister, what your Government is doing in collaboration with the

0:36:440:36:48

Westminster and Brussels to ensure that the cage ban when it does come

0:36:480:36:53

into force on 1st January Wales and the UK will not be inundated with

0:36:530:36:58

eggs from producers on the Continent? We share your concerns.

0:36:580:37:02

There will be a statement by the Minister tomorrow on this issue.

0:37:020:37:06

PRESIDING OFFICER: Question 8, Ann Jones. What is the Welsh Government

0:37:060:37:15

doing to support town centres in the Vale of Clwyd? One of those

0:37:150:37:21

priorities is of course the regeneration of Rhyl. Thank you. On

0:37:210:37:23

the fact that the North Wales coastal regeneration area, can I

0:37:230:37:28

say that the work that's been going on to bring down the derelict

0:37:280:37:31

buildings, to bring down buildings that remain empty for some time and

0:37:310:37:35

have been inhabited by many who perhaps have brought a negative

0:37:350:37:39

image to Rhyl, that work is now going on. First Minister, we need

0:37:390:37:43

to make sure that the town centre of Rhyl is a vibrant shopping

0:37:430:37:47

centre, we have managed to keep Marks & Spencer open for another 12

0:37:470:37:52

months on this issue due to a good strong local campaign. But I needs

0:37:520:37:55

a shuernss from the Government, First Minister, that the work --

0:37:550:37:58

assurances that the Government, First Minister, that the work will

0:37:580:38:02

continue particularly as the work has already started. So we do see

0:38:020:38:06

the benefits from the public money that's been invested? I applaud the

0:38:060:38:10

campaign that has been run in Rhyl regarding Marks & Spencer. You will

0:38:100:38:17

be aware of the schemes that have been taken forward in Rhyl of late,

0:38:170:38:20

the cinema, the progress that's been made on the harbour. It is

0:38:200:38:26

crucial that for towns to be vibrant that they have vibrant and

0:38:260:38:34

active town centres. Thank you very much. Based on 143 performance

0:38:340:38:38

indicators Denbighshire is the highest performing council in Wales.

0:38:380:38:43

In January, in debate on High Street and town centre services I

0:38:430:38:46

highlighted proposals by the Rhyl Business Group for a town centre

0:38:460:38:51

manager to improve "the vitality and viability of the town centre".

0:38:510:38:55

What action do you feel that the Welsh Government should be taking

0:38:550:38:58

to engage with local business or what action are you taking to

0:38:580:39:01

engage with groups such as the Rhyl Business Group to support

0:39:010:39:08

think our record speaks for itself in Rhyl. We see of course what's

0:39:080:39:12

happened with cinema, with the harbour, with the Rhyl Sixth, with

0:39:120:39:17

the work that's been done to improve the town centre. I think

0:39:170:39:21

some �34 million has been invested by the Welsh Government in Rhyl and

0:39:210:39:29

that is a significant indication of the commitment that we have given.

0:39:290:39:32

Diolch, Llywdd. Thank you. Presiding business rate relief has

0:39:320:39:37

been a crucial factor for a number of businesses in the Vale of Clwyd

0:39:370:39:40

so they can survive the current difficult economic climate. Does

0:39:400:39:43

the First Minister agree that extending the relief beyond next

0:39:430:39:48

September would avoid job losses and businesses closing? Well, of

0:39:480:39:56

course, there are surveys undertaken under the Minister for

0:39:560:40:02

Business and then in due course we will report on the outcome.

0:40:020:40:05

PRESIDING OFFICER: Question 9. the First Minister make a statement

0:40:050:40:10

on how the Welsh Government are responding to increases to the

0:40:100:40:20
0:40:200:40:22

cost-of-living? First Minister, with the approach of winter, many

0:40:220:40:25

pensioners will face a tough choice due to the rising fuel cost and the

0:40:250:40:30

Tory-Lib Dem Winter Fuel Allowance cuts. First Minister, next time you

0:40:300:40:36

have a chance to speak to the representatives of the Conservative

0:40:360:40:40

high pressure liberal Government, will you tell them they are

0:40:400:40:49

fuelling no-one. And... I had a listen to some of the comments. May

0:40:490:40:52

I deal with the first issue? It is awful that people aren't getting

0:40:520:40:56

the help they should have, as we see fuel costs rising beyond

0:40:560:41:00

people's ability to afford fuel. I did listen to the Liberal Democrats

0:41:000:41:05

who were saying, who were asking the question why it was we were

0:41:050:41:08

fixated on electoral reform. Who had a referendum in May on

0:41:080:41:12

electoral reform? Which party is more concerned with electoral

0:41:120:41:13

reform than dealing with fuel poverty?

0:41:130:41:16

STUDIO: That is where we leave First Minister's Questions this

0:41:160:41:26
0:41:260:41:27

week. You can see more on BBC Wales Democracy Live.

0:41:270:41:33

Our Welsh Affairs Editor is here. Afternoon. Hi. Let's look at

0:41:330:41:35

Leader's Questions, particularly Ieuan Wyn Jones's questions to

0:41:350:41:37

Carwyn Jones, who seemed to be questioning the Government's

0:41:370:41:41

priorities relating to a letter Carwyn Jones has sent to the Prime

0:41:410:41:45

Minister? This is quite an odd story. No-one can understand where

0:41:450:41:50

it's come from. This is Labour kicking up a fuss about the

0:41:500:41:53

Assembly electoral system because they suspect that the Government in

0:41:530:41:56

Westminster may be going to change it in a way that is not

0:41:560:42:03

particularly favourable to Labour. It does seem to be getting an

0:42:030:42:06

inordinate amount of publicity. This is one of these changes that

0:42:060:42:10

might happen if something else might possibly have happened. It

0:42:100:42:14

looks from the outside - that is what Ieuan Wyn Jones is playing on

0:42:140:42:18

- that Labour have lost their sense of proportion when it comes to this

0:42:180:42:21

issue. All the other opposition parties said that in the briefing

0:42:210:42:26

as well this morning. It seems odd that Labour isn't doing anything to

0:42:260:42:31

shut the issue down. There is a suggestion from the Conservatives

0:42:310:42:34

that the Government has got its priorities wrong when it should be

0:42:340:42:38

looking at improving the conditions of the economy. It is looking at

0:42:380:42:41

constitutional change instead? what the Government would say of

0:42:410:42:45

course is that they are doing this stuff on the economy, but it is

0:42:450:42:49

being done behind-the-scenes. It does sort of raise the question of

0:42:490:42:53

well, why release this letter, why not do that behind the scenes? What

0:42:530:42:58

the opposition parties say is that this is a way of Carwyn Jones

0:42:580:43:04

standing up to Westminster, when not tackling them about the

0:43:040:43:08

important issues. I think it's a hand that possibly Labour have

0:43:080:43:12

either overplayed a bit or misplayed and really it is not an

0:43:120:43:18

issue that is of any great interest to people outside the Cardiff Bay

0:43:180:43:20

bubble. Briefly, do you know anything more about any agreements

0:43:200:43:25

on the Budget? Talks are continuing. One politician said this morning,

0:43:250:43:28

"I would expect a sense of urgency from the Government today. If I

0:43:280:43:34

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