:00:34. > :00:37.Hour Assembly members are back from their Easter break. We can expect
:00:37. > :00:43.plenty of point scoring on the local election campaign today. You
:00:43. > :00:53.will not have to wait long to see the action. Before we go over to
:00:53. > :00:53.
:00:53. > :01:00.Senedd, you can contact us via Twitter or e-mail. Let's take a
:01:00. > :01:09.look at today's questions to the first minister.
:01:09. > :01:13.Item one. Questions to the first minister.
:01:13. > :01:21.Will the first minister make a statement for the prospects of the
:01:21. > :01:31.Welsh economy for the next 12 months? The economic prospects for
:01:31. > :01:34.
:01:34. > :01:40.Wales are uncertain. Thank you for the reply. Only 12% of FFP members
:01:40. > :01:44.believe the business climate in Wales will improve over the next 12
:01:44. > :01:51.months while almost three times as many believe it will deteriorate.
:01:51. > :01:55.60% of the membership identify taxation and rates as a barrier or
:01:55. > :02:00.obstacle to business success in Wales. Does he agree that
:02:00. > :02:03.abolishing business rates for small businesses will allow firms to
:02:03. > :02:09.expand, take on new staff and provide a welcome boost to the
:02:09. > :02:14.Welsh economy? We have in place a system of business rate relief
:02:14. > :02:19.already. Taxation is not evolved, that is a matter for the UK
:02:19. > :02:24.government. Small businesses in Wales who believe they are up over
:02:24. > :02:27.tax will have to take that up with the UK government. Do you agree
:02:27. > :02:30.that electrification of the main line all the way to Swansea would
:02:30. > :02:37.be one of the best things to be done to improve the economy of
:02:37. > :02:41.South West Wales? And can you reveal any discussions from the
:02:41. > :02:44.Welsh government with the UK government regarding the rail line
:02:45. > :02:49.between Swansea and Cardiff? There have been extensive and numerous
:02:49. > :02:52.discussions between ourselves and the UK government and we look
:02:52. > :02:57.forward to them announcing the filled a light of vocation of the
:02:58. > :03:07.main line to Swansea. -- the Fool electrification of the main line to
:03:08. > :03:08.
:03:08. > :03:16.Swansea. Thank you very much. Unemployment figures in Wales are
:03:16. > :03:19.still increasing. In the Neath area, for example, there are 10
:03:19. > :03:25.unemployed people seeking every position available and that
:03:25. > :03:30.situation is common to many other areas in Wales. At the same time,
:03:30. > :03:40.affordable housing relief for rent or otherwise, there is also great
:03:40. > :03:41.
:03:41. > :03:48.demand there. You should invest more in this area to prove it by a
:03:48. > :03:58.new housing -- to provide new housing. We have done that through
:03:58. > :03:58.
:03:58. > :04:03.the additional funding we have received. Bearing in mind the cuts
:04:03. > :04:07.that have taken place in the Assembly and in government, there
:04:08. > :04:11.is a limit to how much money we can put into such schemes and how much
:04:11. > :04:17.money we would wish to put into such schemes. The Government's
:04:17. > :04:23.record on promoting the economy is a strong one. Cardiff University in
:04:23. > :04:27.my own region is by far the most successful research university in
:04:27. > :04:31.Wales in terms of generating money from innovation activities, which
:04:31. > :04:37.create high-quality jobs not only directly but also when local
:04:37. > :04:41.technology led companies. I'm sure you would like to celebrate the
:04:41. > :04:44.success of Cardiff University, but what can the last government do to
:04:44. > :04:48.help other universities learn from this shining example of best
:04:48. > :04:53.practice? We have been looking at all the universities and Wales to
:04:53. > :04:59.make sure that they can commercialise. They were not
:04:59. > :05:04.historically as good. Universities can be important drivers as far as
:05:04. > :05:11.the economy is concerned, because they are able to enable the set-up
:05:11. > :05:18.of a new, spin-off businesses. We have begun to see those in Cardiff
:05:18. > :05:24.and in Swansea. Well the first minister outline the last
:05:24. > :05:33.government's plans to prolong the legacy of Dylan Thomas be on the
:05:33. > :05:38.centenary celebrations in 2013? intention is to ensure the festival
:05:38. > :05:45.itself delivers cultural and tourism benefits. That is before at
:05:45. > :05:50.that date and after that date as well. Thank you, I think we agree
:05:50. > :05:53.that it is important that the celebrations are a launch pad for
:05:53. > :05:58.promoting tourism opportunities in Swansea and the rest of Wales.
:05:58. > :06:02.There are good examples from around the world. In Ireland, the Dylan
:06:02. > :06:07.Thomas festival is being held alongside one for James Joyce. And
:06:07. > :06:10.America, he has been introduced onto the National Curriculum. I
:06:10. > :06:18.would like you to encourage the tourism department to encourage
:06:18. > :06:24.signed age brought a Swansea as Dylan Thomas country. -- promoting
:06:25. > :06:32.Swansea as Dylan Thomas country. With the first minister be open to
:06:32. > :06:38.proposals to continue to promote that legacy international -- that
:06:38. > :06:43.legacy internationally? All the issues that you have raised are
:06:43. > :06:47.being considered as the look to formulate plans for the festival.
:06:47. > :06:57.It is important that it is well promoted and that it leaves a
:06:57. > :06:57.
:06:58. > :07:01.legacy. I am sure that you will agree that Dylan Thomas is of real
:07:01. > :07:05.importance. What discussion has your government had with the
:07:05. > :07:09.government and broadcasters in the United Kingdom as regards promoting
:07:09. > :07:13.a completely national celebration in the first place, and also to do
:07:13. > :07:20.this as part of a tourism strategy to draw international attention to
:07:20. > :07:27.Wales? The festival will be a national festival, if you look at
:07:27. > :07:32.Wales as a nation. I consider Wells to be a nation. We are willing to
:07:32. > :07:38.look at working with the UK government to see if they can
:07:38. > :07:46.promote the events. Also, foreign markets, particularly via the
:07:46. > :07:50.American market, is being looked at as a place for selling the
:07:50. > :08:00.festivities, given how many people in America regards Dylan Thomas
:08:00. > :08:03.
:08:03. > :08:08.highly. By as part of the legacy of Dylan Thomas, it is to ensure that
:08:08. > :08:12.there is a strong governmental centre in Swansea to get involved
:08:12. > :08:18.with what goes on about centre. In the wake of the recent decision
:08:18. > :08:22.by Swansea council to release the centre to the University of Wales,
:08:23. > :08:26.do you share my concern that what happens there could be diluted,
:08:26. > :08:32.because they have changed the scope of the activities, and because of
:08:32. > :08:38.the fact that they have placed many of the literary events in the
:08:38. > :08:42.centre? That is something which is a matter for the Swansea council,
:08:42. > :08:45.but we hope that in two years' time, every part of Swansea and every
:08:45. > :08:51.part of Wales will be able to participate in the celebrations at
:08:51. > :09:00.that time. If I could perhaps turn the question a different way, as
:09:00. > :09:04.the University of Wales has taken over the Dylan Thomas Centre, hour
:09:04. > :09:09.-- can ask what other partners you're working worth in terms of
:09:09. > :09:12.getting this festival of the ground? Good will you be involved
:09:12. > :09:18.with the University of Wales and Swansea council to try and maximise
:09:18. > :09:21.the impact of the Dylan Thomas festival when it comes about?
:09:21. > :09:30.Steering Group has been set up and that includes representatives from
:09:30. > :09:37.Swansea council, as well as other bodies. We're looking to extend the
:09:37. > :09:43.number of partners who are part of that group. Now the leaders
:09:43. > :09:51.questions. I call the leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats.
:09:51. > :09:55.New figures show that since 2008, some 7374 Welsh NHS operations have
:09:55. > :10:05.been cancelled due to lack of available beds. You believe that
:10:05. > :10:07.
:10:07. > :10:17.that figure is acceptable? That is not 0.6% -- that is 0.6% of total
:10:17. > :10:20.operations. We would not want to see any, but given the fact that an
:10:20. > :10:24.acceptable -- and exceptionally small numbers of operations are
:10:24. > :10:27.cancelled, we would like to see that number reduced, when put in
:10:27. > :10:37.context, it seems that the vast majority of people are getting
:10:37. > :10:37.
:10:38. > :10:42.their operations in due time. 7374 people could not have the
:10:42. > :10:47.operation because of the lack of staff -- a lack of an available bed
:10:47. > :10:51.and the trend is rising. Other people missed out on the operation
:10:51. > :10:55.because of equipment failure, and because of administrative errors
:10:55. > :11:00.within the NHS. Whilst the causes may be different, the outcome is
:11:00. > :11:03.the same. It is very distressing and very inconvenient for patients
:11:03. > :11:07.and it costs the NHS money. Does the first minister have a figure
:11:07. > :11:12.for how much money was wasted due to cancelled operations for
:11:12. > :11:17.whatever reason last year? Given the fact that 99.4% of operations
:11:17. > :11:21.went ahead as planned, that is an exceptionally good record. It is
:11:21. > :11:25.inconvenient for people. I understand that. There will be a
:11:26. > :11:29.number of reasons why operations may be cancelled, sickness of a
:11:29. > :11:33.surgeon, Beds not being available, but I think looking at the overall
:11:33. > :11:40.record, it is clear up at the NHS has an exceptional record in
:11:40. > :11:46.delivering. There is no media about it. If he would care to look at the
:11:46. > :11:50.details of the operations, which is serious for those individuals
:11:50. > :11:53.involved, the numbers missing operations because somebody's sec
:11:53. > :11:57.pales into comparison with those who are missing operations because
:11:57. > :12:00.the equipment is not available, there is no bed, or staff are on
:12:00. > :12:06.leave or there has been an administrative error and the King
:12:06. > :12:14.that person and for an operation. I would like to know how you intend
:12:14. > :12:18.to minimise these numbers. One way you could cut down on these numbers
:12:18. > :12:22.is by increasing staff, and I welcome your announcement yesterday
:12:22. > :12:26.about the next stage of your doctor recruitment campaign. Before, you
:12:26. > :12:32.were not able to tell us how many doctors you're able to recruit as a
:12:32. > :12:38.result of these efforts. Can you tell us today how many doctors you
:12:38. > :12:43.intend to recruit? Again, the Liberal Democrats find themselves
:12:43. > :12:48.dealing with an issue as if it is a grave crisis. It is inconvenient
:12:48. > :12:58.for individuals, I accept that. In reality, the cancellations equate
:12:58. > :12:59.
:12:59. > :13:04.to not 0.6%. -- cancellations equate to 0.6%. It remains the case
:13:04. > :13:07.that the NHS is delivering a very high quality of service to patients
:13:07. > :13:10.and that the vast majority of operations to take place on time. I
:13:10. > :13:18.am surprised that the Liberal Democrats did not do their
:13:18. > :13:24.mathematics before the asked this question.'s unemployment has gone
:13:24. > :13:32.up again and of those who are going to be put out of work are yet more
:13:32. > :13:35.Peacock's workers. It is a Welsh company undermined by the decision
:13:35. > :13:39.of the publicly-owned Royal Bank of Scotland. Would you agree with me
:13:39. > :13:44.that the head of this publicly- funded organisation should not be
:13:44. > :13:48.taking a Pax -- a massive taxpayer funded salary and that he has
:13:48. > :13:53.treated those taxpayers, as well as those Welsh workers, with utter
:13:53. > :14:01.contempt. It is exceptionally difficult to justify the heads of
:14:01. > :14:04.large banks, particularly those owned by the state, earning large
:14:04. > :14:10.bonuses when we see other workers in the economy suffering so much.
:14:10. > :14:13.Given what you have just said, that large salaries on the public purse
:14:13. > :14:18.and difficult to justify, I would hope he would join with me in
:14:18. > :14:24.condemning the Labour leader of this council, who has five jobs all
:14:24. > :14:29.paid for by the public purse, whilst his Labour administration in
:14:29. > :14:32.RTC threaten to knock out public workers unless they accepted
:14:32. > :14:39.reduced pay and conditions. Canute understand why people are angry
:14:39. > :14:47.with the likes of the Labour leader at the RTC? He performs those jobs,
:14:47. > :14:57.he is not being paid for nothing. I asked the Leader of played calmly -
:14:57. > :15:22.
:15:22. > :15:32.- the leader of played calmly -- the leader of Plaid Cymru go I am
:15:32. > :15:35.
:15:35. > :15:43.not sure what that has to do with public pay. The Labour council
:15:43. > :15:47.leader in RTC holds five public funded positions and earns over
:15:47. > :15:50.�100,000 per year. You say that your party wants us to send a
:15:50. > :15:54.message to David Cameron in this election, but you do not seem to
:15:54. > :15:57.have got election -- to have got the message yourself. Why don't you
:15:57. > :16:03.condemn the behaviour of someone whose raking in massive amounts of
:16:03. > :16:07.public money and treats public sector workers with utter contempt?
:16:07. > :16:11.You talk about treating public sector workers with content, we are
:16:11. > :16:15.fighting very hard to oppose regional pay across the UK. Plaid
:16:15. > :16:19.Cymru have thrown their toll and when it comes to regional pay. We
:16:19. > :16:23.know that regional pay is an issue that affects not just workers in
:16:23. > :16:26.Wales but also in north-east England and other parts of the UK
:16:26. > :16:30.who would suffer greatly if regional pay was introduced. Plaid
:16:30. > :16:35.Cymru are not interested in that. I would say once again to the leader
:16:35. > :16:41.of Plaid Cymru, I know it is difficult for them to hear this,
:16:41. > :16:46.but this is a democratic chamber, I asked her once again, will she
:16:46. > :16:50.condemn the Plaid Cymru group in Cardiff Council who have put
:16:50. > :16:58.forward a leaflet that is a blatant lie. I do not use that word very
:16:58. > :17:05.often. A blatant lie. Does she have full confidence in Neil McEvoy,
:17:05. > :17:15.someone she has condemned in the past? Would you like to reply?
:17:15. > :17:16.
:17:16. > :17:24.not responding to that. Order, order. Order! You have chosen not
:17:24. > :17:29.to reply? This is questions to the First Minister. I absolutely.
:17:29. > :17:32.Excuse me. If the first minister asks a direct question of an
:17:32. > :17:36.opposition leader, I intend to let that opposition leader answer the
:17:36. > :17:45.question. If you have chosen not to that is fine, you have had the
:17:45. > :17:55.opportunity. Thank you very much. We will now move to Leader of the
:17:55. > :18:04.
:18:04. > :18:10.I believe it is an incumbent of you after the detailed briefing that
:18:10. > :18:17.they gave you, that you are able here to outline what that vision is
:18:17. > :18:21.a. Can we get through to the leader of the opposition? The leaders of
:18:21. > :18:31.the to buck parties, can you listen to the leader of the opposite --
:18:31. > :18:32.
:18:32. > :18:41.opposition? It has been approved by the board of tartare, I welcomed
:18:41. > :18:47.the Investment, and the realigning of the blast furnaces. As well as
:18:47. > :18:53.being a new business developer FOB Port Talbot, it does not affect the
:18:53. > :18:59.investment in the mind. The expected decision by the autumn.
:19:00. > :19:06.is total by your answer, the you didn't touch on the specifics. You
:19:06. > :19:11.mention the realigning. There were �126 million unaccounted for. Also,
:19:11. > :19:16.what they have said is that the key message of the Welsh government is
:19:16. > :19:22.that they have to make it come about. What liability do you
:19:22. > :19:26.believe will be placed on the Welsh government by that funding, and
:19:26. > :19:30.also the other assets that she might have to direct in order to
:19:30. > :19:34.float this money into Wales to create the opportunities given the
:19:34. > :19:39.detailed briefing that you have made and the understanding has to
:19:39. > :19:47.have? By surprise that the leader of the opposition welcomes this
:19:47. > :19:50.news, current -- its consider -- considering that this is committed
:19:50. > :19:54.by the board of the company. They are extremely happy with the
:19:54. > :19:59.relationship that they have given to us. I have gone to discuss the
:19:59. > :20:02.future of them and Wales. I know the secretary of state was unhappy
:20:02. > :20:06.with the announcement, but the people of Wales are, and it shows
:20:06. > :20:14.that when you go to the countries, and you talk to the people, come
:20:14. > :20:19.back with substantial investment. If the record shows that I welcomed
:20:19. > :20:26.the investment that they gave, those were my opening words to you.
:20:26. > :20:32.Surely this is -- it is incumbent upon us as an opposition, given
:20:32. > :20:36.that they will be a responsibility of you of Tasmania's the government
:20:37. > :20:41.gives the ball, it is not unreasonable as an opposition to
:20:41. > :20:47.extract those answers from you, given that they gave you a strong
:20:47. > :20:52.vision of what the millions of pounds could achieve. We welcome
:20:52. > :20:56.that. But surely it is legitimate for a member of this chamber to
:20:56. > :21:00.seek the answer from the first minister of Wales on such an
:21:00. > :21:06.important issue. It is noticeable that you have been unable to answer
:21:06. > :21:10.on both occasions. Can you give a simple answer to this, but do you
:21:10. > :21:17.believe that totter still workers are protected here in Wales by this
:21:17. > :21:23.investment? Exactly, that is what I was told by than themselves. Basie
:21:23. > :21:28.Port Talbot as a good place to make steel in the future, and the �800
:21:28. > :21:35.million will ensure that Port Talbot and has a strong steel
:21:35. > :21:39.making future. Given that he has come to this chamber and expressed
:21:40. > :21:47.scepticism as to their word in the terms of their investment, it shows
:21:47. > :21:51.that the last person to sell Wales to the world is the leader of the
:21:51. > :21:58.opposition. Will the first minister make a statement on the water
:21:58. > :22:05.supply and Wales? Yes, there are no concerns considering the water
:22:05. > :22:14.supply and Wales. I think you for your reply. Despite the impression
:22:14. > :22:22.of a water-rich Wales, south-east Wales are near record low levels.
:22:22. > :22:27.The First Minister will also be aware that a 55 mm -- 55 mile water
:22:27. > :22:33.pipe will be between Manchester and Liverpool to move for water between
:22:33. > :22:37.those two cities. There is no problem with the adequacy of water
:22:37. > :22:43.supplies. Water levels are normal for this time of year, and a have
:22:43. > :22:51.no concerns about provision of water in Wales. TRANSLATION: In the
:22:51. > :22:54.past, you have caused -- called for the reduction of the aggregates
:22:54. > :23:00.levy, on things like sand, gravel levy, on things like sand, gravel
:23:00. > :23:07.and stone. Would you be willing to extend that to all of Wales''
:23:07. > :23:15.natural resources? TRANSLATION: Well, it depends on which way Wales
:23:15. > :23:25.is taxed on water. We could achieve the optimum benefit for the people
:23:25. > :23:33.of Wales, but any tax which -- would be needed to see whether it
:23:33. > :23:36.was an appropriate tax. TRANSLATION: What discussions has
:23:36. > :23:46.the first Mr had regarding the military testing site in the pen
:23:46. > :23:49.dying? TRANSLATION: I have no questions on it. TRANSLATION: In
:23:49. > :23:56.case the first mist and -- first minister does not know, and diners
:23:56. > :23:59.in Wales, and it does affect the people in my constituency, and the
:23:59. > :24:04.residents of Pembrokeshire and the buffer zones, which does produce
:24:04. > :24:09.the impact of the noise. The first minister will be aware that the UK
:24:09. > :24:15.government has given permission to the site to add to the noise from
:24:15. > :24:20.their tests. Does he agree with that decision, and is he willing to
:24:20. > :24:28.make representations to the UK government to reduce that noise,
:24:28. > :24:31.because the my constituents are concerned. TRANSLATION: If he
:24:31. > :24:41.writes to me on these considerations, I will consider
:24:41. > :24:43.
:24:43. > :24:47.them. The interim much. I would urge you not to write, because it
:24:47. > :24:52.is an additional two nights per week, it affects all of my patch,
:24:52. > :24:56.because it is in my patch, and no one has complained about it, and it
:24:57. > :25:02.is important that we are allowed to use these sites, but Dickie when
:25:02. > :25:12.Pendine Sands is under sums right at the moment, because the
:25:12. > :25:12.
:25:12. > :25:21.collective training group are going to rationalised. I would not like
:25:21. > :25:28.to lose any more soldiers going to Afghanistan either. Certainly, if
:25:28. > :25:33.anybody wants to write to me on this issue, I will investigate.
:25:33. > :25:43.TRANSLATION: What is the Welsh government doing to promote tourism
:25:43. > :25:51.
:25:51. > :26:01.in West Wales? TRANSLATION: We have allocated �600 million to develop
:26:01. > :26:04.
:26:04. > :26:09.TRANSLATION: There is an event which at -- attracts thousands of
:26:10. > :26:14.people year. Unfortunately, it was delayed this year, and the
:26:14. > :26:20.government dealing -- government department dealing with it could
:26:20. > :26:26.not sponsor the event as they had done in the past. Ken he insure
:26:26. > :26:31.that there is no delays in future, and events like this continue to
:26:31. > :26:41.support our tourism industry? TRANSLATION: I will write to the
:26:41. > :26:50.Honourable Member. The caravan industry is a big driver of tourism
:26:50. > :26:57.in West Wales. There is talk of a levy of 20 % on a caravan purchased
:26:57. > :27:04.in Wales. Would you join me in calling for these measures to be
:27:04. > :27:14.delayed, while a report is made into the affect on the caravan
:27:14. > :27:15.
:27:15. > :27:20.industry? How many taxes can the Budget introduced? You are keen on
:27:20. > :27:27.promoting result of -- as tax cutters. There have been things but
:27:27. > :27:32.the pre-tax recently. Of course, we support the holiday and tourism
:27:33. > :27:36.industry in West Wales, and there will be an effect on the number of
:27:36. > :27:46.caravans on site in the future, which will affect tourism in west
:27:46. > :27:55.Wales. It is another example of the ill-thought-out policy.
:27:55. > :28:01.TRANSLATION: As it happens, I share the concerns on the intention to
:28:01. > :28:07.charge VAT on caravans, static caravans and larger mobiles, and it
:28:07. > :28:14.is going to have an influence on the tourism industry. Will he now
:28:15. > :28:18.ensure that he rise to the Chancellor to express his concerns?
:28:18. > :28:23.TRANSLATION: Are well of course do that. This is an issue that has
:28:23. > :28:28.generated a great deal of interest in Wales, and I am willing to write
:28:28. > :28:34.to the Chancellor that -- to make sure he is aware of the problems
:28:34. > :28:39.this will cause in Wales. What discussion has the first minister
:28:39. > :28:49.had with the electoral commission about lowering the voting age to
:28:49. > :28:51.
:28:51. > :28:58.16? Of course, this is a non devolved matter. I am a long term
:28:58. > :29:03.campaign out for a change in the voting age to 16. Can he do what he
:29:03. > :29:07.can to make sure that he goes beyond the agenda for Scottish
:29:07. > :29:11.independence, and is discussed in the context of all electors in the
:29:11. > :29:14.UK? I think that is another reason why we need a constitutional
:29:14. > :29:21.convention in the UK. Concerns have been raised over the last few
:29:21. > :29:26.months, and at the moment, the approach of the UK government is to
:29:26. > :29:36.approach this thing in bits. That also includes a house of Lords
:29:36. > :29:47.
:29:47. > :29:52.Given that already, four in five young voters, 18-24, don't vote in
:29:52. > :30:00.the assembly elections, what steps will the government take to were
:30:00. > :30:08.weak -- to ensure there were we to be a change in voting age, the
:30:08. > :30:16.pattern would not be repeated? that the suggestion that baiting-
:30:16. > :30:26.twentyfour-year-olds would not do use their votes? -- 18-24-year-
:30:26. > :30:33.
:30:33. > :30:38.Those who are 16 or 17 are looking to vote, and in these to be looked
:30:38. > :30:43.at by the UK government. I would agree that having a broader
:30:43. > :30:51.approach for this. I wonder what discussion you have had with young
:30:51. > :30:54.people themselves? When I people the -- when I speak to people in
:30:54. > :30:58.this age group, they are unsupportive. What is your
:30:58. > :31:06.experience? There are some who supported and some who don't. This
:31:06. > :31:09.is why the issue needs to be looked at more fully, and as part of a
:31:09. > :31:19.fuller look at the UK constitution in the future. There is a mixed
:31:19. > :31:19.
:31:19. > :31:26.view on it. That is why it is important that the issues that had
:31:26. > :31:30.been a comprehensive manner. What efforts are the Welsh government
:31:30. > :31:38.making to support older workers seeking new employment? They are
:31:38. > :31:48.able to access a range of skills and employability programmes. We
:31:48. > :31:51.
:31:51. > :31:58.How active is the first minister in making sure that job applications
:31:58. > :32:04.do not restrict old people? How careful are we to monitor those
:32:04. > :32:08.adverts? Age discrimination is a matter for the law. Employers have
:32:08. > :32:15.to be careful to not give the impression that jobs are only
:32:15. > :32:25.available to people of a certain age. That be in directly as well as
:32:25. > :32:35.directly. Let me give you an example. A work focused training
:32:35. > :32:43.
:32:43. > :32:49.Strand, and a step to employment, First minister, I am sure you're
:32:49. > :32:52.aware that the number of people out of work increased by 1000 and in
:32:52. > :32:57.the three months to February. It seems that women are being
:32:57. > :33:02.disproportionately affected, with an extra 4000 women and Wales out
:33:02. > :33:07.of work compared to 3000 men. Can you tell us how your policies are
:33:07. > :33:11.seeking to address this problem? It is right to say that the net
:33:11. > :33:17.figure increased by 1000, in terms of unemployment, but it had gone
:33:17. > :33:21.down for three months previously, following -- bucking the UK trend.
:33:21. > :33:27.That is something we would like to see in the future. I have said many
:33:27. > :33:33.times, the plans are in place to help people to get work. Much of
:33:33. > :33:36.the work that is being done is being done as a result of the �38.9
:33:36. > :33:42.million and consequential fun that we received and every penny of that
:33:42. > :33:49.is being put into schemes to help people find work. Question aid will
:33:49. > :33:58.not be asked. Question nine. Will he please make a statement on
:33:58. > :34:03.stroke services? Significant improvements have been made to
:34:03. > :34:13.stroke services. There has been extensive local engagement about
:34:13. > :34:17.the shipping of services for the people of South Purves. The thank
:34:17. > :34:23.you for that answer. A hospital and the south-east of my region has
:34:23. > :34:28.recently established itself, indeed over a number of years, a strong
:34:28. > :34:33.reputation for its excellent stroke services and has a very able
:34:33. > :34:39.consultant on staff. It is becoming increasingly clear that the local
:34:40. > :34:43.health board wishes to relocate at service to Brecon. If that goes
:34:43. > :34:50.ahead, that consultant will be unable to move with the unit, and
:34:50. > :34:53.that would potentially jeopardise the standard of care available.
:34:53. > :34:58.Will the First Minister join me in congratulating the stroke team at
:34:58. > :35:02.the hospital and secondly, confirm that such a move, if it were to go
:35:02. > :35:12.ahead, with half first to be subject to full public
:35:12. > :35:16.consultation?. Absolutely, I agree with that. By understanding is that
:35:16. > :35:20.the LH be have yet to carry out a full, formal consultation, although
:35:20. > :35:23.there has been an informal consultation and I would expect
:35:23. > :35:32.that to happen before a decision is made.
:35:32. > :35:36.The Government has made reducing services -- the provision of
:35:36. > :35:41.services for stroke patients a top priority. Can you tell me how the
:35:41. > :35:49.National Stroke delivery plan will reduce incidence of strokes in
:35:49. > :35:53.Wales in terms of its delivery plan and how well blood-pressure, the
:35:53. > :36:03.cornerstone of broke -- of stroke prevention, be built into that
:36:03. > :36:04.
:36:04. > :36:12.plan? As was stated in the inquiry by the Health Minister, prevention
:36:12. > :36:17.of stroke with the reduction of risk factors will be a key part of
:36:17. > :36:21.the strop one. -- of the stroke plan.
:36:21. > :36:26.First minister, as the person who is responsible for the delivery
:36:26. > :36:29.unit, will you have your delivery unit consider how best to tie in
:36:29. > :36:34.transportation and health services, because with all the Reagan
:36:34. > :36:39.organisation that is going on? -- with all the reorganisation that is
:36:39. > :36:42.going on, people are suffering strokes will not be able to access
:36:42. > :36:47.that treatment they need in the Golden hour, which is so vital for
:36:47. > :36:50.them to move forward in a healthy way. Discussions regarding
:36:50. > :36:53.transportation and access to the health service are ongoing,
:36:53. > :37:01.although we fully understand the need to ensure other people have
:37:01. > :37:08.access to the appropriate level of treatment as soon as possible.
:37:08. > :37:18.First minister, although there are examples of good services, there
:37:18. > :37:19.
:37:19. > :37:25.are problems throughout this area, particularly in Pembrokeshire. It
:37:25. > :37:28.is in supporting people and their families, and although we have
:37:28. > :37:31.improved the way we are dead to five strokes and prevent strokes,
:37:31. > :37:35.we still have some work to do in supporting people to survive
:37:36. > :37:39.strokes and to recover. What discussions are you having with
:37:39. > :37:42.their health board specifically to ensure not only that there are good
:37:42. > :37:46.services within the area, but that they are consistently available
:37:46. > :37:50.throughout the area? This is a matter for the local
:37:50. > :38:00.health board, but we would expect them to ensure that there is a
:38:00. > :38:06.reasonable level of poor stroke care available -- of after stroke
:38:06. > :38:12.care available. Well he outline the last
:38:12. > :38:17.Government's priorities for north- east Wales and the next 12 months?
:38:18. > :38:24.Our historic buildings at a set for her heritage. They helped to
:38:24. > :38:28.contribute money to the economy in tourism. A recent report by ITV
:38:28. > :38:35.Wales highlighted at over 3000 historic buildings in Wales are at
:38:35. > :38:39.risk from falling into You and -- into ruin. What is the last
:38:39. > :38:42.government doing to work with local authorities and private owners to
:38:42. > :38:45.ensure that our historic buildings are managed and maintained
:38:46. > :38:53.properly? These are issues that will be covered in the heritage
:38:53. > :38:55.protection bill, which will form part of the Governor's programme
:38:55. > :39:01.over the next few years. There are concerns about the condition of
:39:01. > :39:07.many listed buildings, particularly Knut -- particularly through
:39:07. > :39:09.continuing maintenance and neglect by their owners. We need to be sure
:39:09. > :39:15.that the owners live up to their responsibilities.
:39:15. > :39:17.Given that the figures released today by the taxpayers Alliance
:39:17. > :39:25.revealed that 28 local authority employees in north-east Wales
:39:25. > :39:27.earned more than �100,000, what plans to issue a government have to
:39:27. > :39:37.follow their actions of the Westminster government and
:39:37. > :39:40.
:39:40. > :39:44.encourage wealth local authorities -- Welsh local and authorities to
:39:44. > :39:51.follow suit, so that Welsh council taxpayers can be given real value
:39:51. > :39:55.for money? The difficulty is that if you're saying to people there is
:39:55. > :40:00.a limit on salary, you limit their talent that is available to you. It
:40:00. > :40:04.is right that the salary should be reasonable, of course. The
:40:04. > :40:14.taxpayers are lies, when did the ever criticised the banks? Why did
:40:14. > :40:19.they ever criticise what was done in 2010 -- in 20 or wait -- in 2008
:40:19. > :40:29.and today is no nine? I never see them criticise the people on the
:40:29. > :40:29.
:40:29. > :40:35.private sector. At I take what they say with a very large pinch of salt.
:40:35. > :40:41.A your own Labour councillors recently voted to oppose housing
:40:41. > :40:47.developments. I cannot comment on individual
:40:47. > :40:57.planning applications. That was first Minister's Questions.
:40:57. > :41:03.You can see more online. As usual, our Welsh Affairs Editor is here
:41:03. > :41:07.with us. Let's concentrate on leaders questions. They could not
:41:07. > :41:13.decide on a plan of attack. They all went off on different subjects
:41:13. > :41:21.today. That's right. I don't think any of them really landed any
:41:21. > :41:27.particularly heavy blows. Carwyn Jones dealt with the health
:41:27. > :41:31.questions quite easily. The two sessions she did just before Easter,
:41:31. > :41:39.she was asking their first minister to agree with her about something.
:41:39. > :41:43.Today, she went on attack. -- she went on the attack. It was easy for
:41:43. > :41:53.Carwyn Jones to brush that off by coming back on another council
:41:53. > :41:58.
:41:58. > :42:03.battle, meaning that battle and Cardiff. Andrew Davis, I thought a
:42:03. > :42:12.rather strange line of attack, which left him open to charges of
:42:12. > :42:15.being a sort of their doomed seeker amongst the good news. He was riled
:42:15. > :42:22.by the fact that Carwyn Jones did not answer any of the questions.
:42:22. > :42:26.That is the way it goes. He welcomed Carwyn Jones his
:42:26. > :42:30.announcement that �800 million was going to be spent by the steel
:42:30. > :42:35.company, and Carwyn Jones accused him of attacking him.
:42:35. > :42:38.relationship between the two men and the way Labour few the
:42:38. > :42:43.Conservatives compared to the Liberal Democrats and Plaid Cymru,
:42:43. > :42:48.I think, had Kirsty Williams asked that question, he would have seen
:42:48. > :42:55.it as supportive and given a detailed answer. Once Andrew R T
:42:55. > :42:59.Davies asked something, KA Owen Jones goes into defensive mode. --
:42:59. > :43:08.Carwyn Jones. It is inevitable these questions
:43:08. > :43:12.will crop up. Yes, and we saw all sorts of local issues coming up.
:43:12. > :43:15.All the parties are manoeuvring for position ahead of local government
:43:15. > :43:19.elections. There are signs there could be some quite substantial
:43:19. > :43:23.moves in vote. This is an important round of elections. It is the last
:43:23. > :43:30.important round for some time. Thanks for joining us. We will be
:43:30. > :43:38.back with you tomorrow morning, for live coverage of Welsh Questions