29/01/2013 am.pm

TRANSLATION: I call the National Assembly for Wales to order.

before I call the first question I am sure members will wish to join

me in conveying our deepest sympathies to Quint Thomas on the

sudden loss of her beloved husband. Our thoughts are with her and her

family at this sad time. -- of Grender Thomas. First question for

First Minister. Will he outlined plans to tackle bullying in

Learning resources on behaviour management will be available from

April. Thank you. I invited the Education Minister to a local high

school to see the project there that the school have initiated, but

they have involved the wider community, resulting in older

pupils who are able to be mentors for those able -- who do not feel

safe, and they have also included safe havens in the town where the

child can seek refuge. Do you think this is the sort of initiative we

should be looking at shearing across schools, and does this High

School deserved the praise and recognition for this work? Yes, it

is very encouraging to see the scheme developing. I have asked my

officials to keep in touch of -- with the progress of a, and share

it as an example of good practice with local authorities. Do you

share the concerns of parents at the recent comments of Professor

Ken Read, the teacher Training -- that teacher training remains poor,

and attendance is a problem in a third of secondary schools? What

confidence do you have that your government will be able to address

bullying effectively, when many schools are failing to tackle

barely adequate teachers? continue to ensure that the level

of expertise among teachers increases, which is why we have

plans for the Master's qualification in teaching. In terms

of issues such as attendance, if we look at attendants, you mention

secondary schools. Overall absence has been decreasing each year since

2006, from 9.8% to 7.8%, which we very much welcome.

TRANSLATION: thank you. You'll be aware there has been a change in

the kind of bullying, with less emphasis on physical bullying, and

more emphasis on bullying through social media, which leads to more

absence and impact upon achievement in terms of numeracy and literacy.

What is the government doing to tackle bullying through the social

media? We have provided funds to local authority, 300,000 in the

last academic year, in order to give training to teachers on

bullying, and it is right to say that cyber-bullying is a problem

that is getting worse every year. In addition to that, we have the

education Wales measure, 2010, which does ensure that training is

available for governors on the issue, and one way of helping

children is through the advisers, and under the School Standards Bill,

local authorities will be required to ensure that an advisory service

is available for children between the ages of 11 and 16, and more

children will be assisted. Will the First Minister make a statement on

how his policies of improving policies? Improving education

requires teachers to spend as much time as possible in the classroom,

but it is reported that more than 19,000 schooldays have been lost in

the past three years, due to teachers in Gwent being on sick

leave with work-related stress. The NASUWT has said that teachers are

under too much pressure, often working over 50 are as a week. What

is the Welsh government doing to tackle the cause of stress among

teachers in Gwent? I know that the Education Minister is able to

listen to the concerns, and take action. But those suffering from

stress, we would expect the schools and local authorities to intervene

to help them. I am sure you would agree that education and careers

advice is important in changing the lives of those leaving prison, to

turn them away from a life of crime. So why has your Government decided

that they can no longer work face- to-face with ex-offenders over the

age of 25? There will be reasons why that is, and reasons as to who

is responsible, but I will write to the member with further details to

give her an answer. When I moved to questions to party leaders. -- we

know move. Today, it has been reported that we need to achieve

better standards in literacy in half of primary and secondary

schools. A Labour Education Minister has been in post for 13

years. For three of those years, you were in charge. Statistics tell

me that we are letting many of our children down. Are you happy with

your Government's performance in education? I was the Education

Minister for 6.5 weeks, not three years. This is topical, we have big

literacy and numeracy framework, which has been launched to help

deliver change for the better. There has been a Labour Education

Minister since the beginning of devolution, First Minister, and we

know that Wales came 38 at of 67 countries in the last standards

test, and since then we have seen very little progress. The target

for this year's results is to be in the top 20 for literacy, but you

Education Minister has said that target will not be met. -- Your

Education Minister. Following today's report, are you confident

that this year's results will show significant improvement to reach

the standards which parents and pupils it specked? -- expect? The

Education Minister has made the point forcefully, but there is no

target, but we are confident we are heading in the right direction in

terms of providing a good education for children, and the literacy and

numeracy framework is part of that. It is a radical programme to help

pupils when they need it. Our young people and teachers work hard, but

they do not get the results they deserve. Since devolution, the

Minister for Education in Wales has been a Labour minister. You failed,

according to the targets you said, and you failed according to the

international comparison. You have got to take responsibility and

accountability for these failures. Will you give us a guarantee that

the education Mr will remain in post and will the next set of

results, so that we can judge him on his success or failure in the

role? That would be a matter for me to decide to redress, and she will

know in due course. I can promise I will not be making any offers to

those in her party, but as far as we're concerned, there is no doubt

in my mind we are heading in the right direction and we have

fulfilled the pledge made to her students, in terms of tuition fees.

-- the students. We both have school-age children, so declared an

interest. We will continue to work closely with teachers to make sure

we get the best possible outcomes. When I moved to the leader of the

Welsh Liberal Democrats are. The -- we now move. When I questioned you

about the school inspector's annual report last year, you told me, next

year I expect to see improvement. Today, the report says that the

expectations are lower than last year. Where is the improvement you

promised? They share our concerns about the number of local

authorities not performing as they should. It is one reason why the

ministers brought forward a review of the effectiveness of the

delivery system in Wales. I have to say as far as the reporters

concerned, there are encouraging areas that are identified --

courage in areas, and areas that need attention. You promised us

that there would be improvement, yet the number of schools getting

that good or excellent judgment has gone down. You're Education

Minister says the problems are literacy, numeracy and breaking the

link between poverty and low levels of attainment, but today's report

says there are no national benchmarks for or targets for

outcomes for disadvantaged pupils. If breaking that link between

poverty and low levels of attainment is your Government's

priority, why do you not measure how well you are doing? She seems

to be talking down the pupil declaration ground that she was

instrumental in establishing. If you look at any figure in terms of

performance, performers has increased in terms of schools over

the last few years. The number of pupils achieving a level two

threshold has increased by 11 points. If you look at the numbers

of the gap in performance, between free school meals and paid school

meals, that is something we intend the pupil deprivation grant to

enhance. It takes some time for it to take effect, but I am sure she

will join me in seeing the grant having the maximum possible benefit

and the future. If it is a Government's priority, why do you

not take steps to see how you are doing? We can trade quotes from the

report. Standards of writing and a concern across all sectors.

Attendance is not good enough in one-third of secondary schools,

many schools do not do enough to monitor the progress of pupils from

poorer backgrounds. Let us turn to the people depravation grunt. Given

the outcomes are outlined in the report today, do you now regret

ignoring the Welsh Liberal Democrats' proposals to

substantially increase the funding for the poorest pupils in budget

discussions for the next financial year? She knows there were a number

of issues discussed, and we could only go on the issues she raced. We

were more than happy to accept proposals for the pupil development

grant, but we know the financial situation is such that there are

many competing priorities. If we look at the national implementation

plan, that is taking us for good, and we are developing and training

leaders for the future. But it is right to say that a number of

concerns were flagged up, one of which is the fact there is

inconsistency in terms of local authority performance regarding

education delivery, which needs to You kindly Eadie a statement -- you

kindly issued a statement. How much the Welsh business did take are no

trade trips? They are not great trips. They were marketed as trade

trips. I have a written answer upstairs that marks them as tree

trips. Surely the best way to do that is to take Welsh businesses

with E. Ireland, for example, is an important customers operas but has

no dedicated budget for marketing Wales as it pays for inward

investment. Today we rank Dublin airport a plant planned but you

could take up advertising space but to promote Wales for �6,000. We

have no budget to promote Wales has an attractive place for inward

investment and yet you go to the Republic for a ministerial group

and yet often nothing of substance. When are you going to start

engaging with 12 businesses? I was chair of the Council for economic

renewal is yesterday and I can promise the day of the opposition

that will do businesses for league support the trade missions. One of

the things they want to be established quickly was a regular

programme of trade missions and that is what I have. We will be

placing someone full-time in Dublin as a representative are the Welsh

Government. There are a number of opportunities in Ireland, as did

republicans out of the difficult economic situation that has seen

itself having to deal with. There is a difference between a busied

and a trade mission. My trade mission to San Francisco it will be

marked. Are the site are the chain and we have no objection to trade

missions. Your statement does reflect your visit being about

drainage and what you find it ironic that you have not chosen to

take any a Welsh companies with you when you have gone to be her key up

or the Republic of Ireland. When we look at the figures, to North

America for example. They are down by 9%. Exports to Asia are down by

6%. These are two areas where you have undertaken trade missions in

this Assembly. When you going to stop working with Welsh business

and industry that that the results for Government and industry can be

put in to best effect so that Wales can be seen in a positive light for

inward investment? At the moment, the impression many are getting is

this is a vanity project for the first minister to go around and

promote his and Nikko. It is about times these figures were arrested

and turned around so that Wales becomes an attractive place for

inward investment, rather than these year-on-year declines we are

seeing. I fear he has not been straight with the chamber. If he

looks at the actual up export up -- that we export figures and not what

his advisers give him, he will this week that the exports to India has

doubled, export to the United States has also increased. When I

spent my time promoting Wales around the world, he is sitting on

his backside. I have seen his press releases. They go on a back jet-

setting around the world. He knows nothing about this around the world.

He does do nothing would do nothing to sell Wales around the world.

What has he is Prime Minister brought back for Wales from trade

missions? Absolutely nothing. The differences we take selling Wales

and getting in essence the receipt whereas his party would sell Welsh

businesses Dan Biggar. What is the Welsh Government doing to promote

the illegal money being green energy projects? -- doing to

We understand the need to make sure that when we look at renewable

energy, all products are considered, a large and small. After a survey -

- I offered a Survey of houses in multiple occupancy areas. The

houses with no snow on the roof, they are the ones with the worst

Rif installation. What can the government do to increase take-up

of private landlords of the available renewable energy schemes?

I was disappointed that less than 300 installations have been done. I

would also like to know what the viewers of the government of the

latest green deal from the UK government, where there is

considerable concern being expressed that the amount of

interest is going to be charged by the installation companies. What

can we do to improve on this? plans to introduce a mandatory

licensing scheme for landlords and letting agents in the private

rented sector will result in more detailed information on landlords

and their property. That information will enable initiatives

like the green deal to look at initiatives like houses in multiple

occupation. Nearly one year ago, you were clear to state that the

document that the Government will be keen to look on resources of

energy. You will be aware of that hydro-electricity energy generation

that provides the best energy a return to the consumer, but Wales

is only generating 13% of renewable energy from this sector. With the

Pill -- developers having increased competition, can this be held for

This is governed like the subsidy system ultimately, so we are tied

into England. We would like to be like Scotland and have control of

those certificates and be better able to target our resources,

especially with a wave and tidal power where we have a disadvantage

in terms of subsidy. TRANSLATION: Before too long, a

number of local authorities in Wales will have to make decisions

on their energy from waste plans and that is the use of incineration

to produce energy, and that is counted as renewable energy

according to the rules, and as authorities make these decisions,

do you think that the changing technologies that have happened

since the start of this process in 2008 now up mean incineration and

waste is still value for money within the public sector in Wales?

TRANSLATION: There is a difference between incineration of waste and

incinerating waste in order to create energy. With some of the

waste, we would have to deal with that I want form of inspiration,

but of course it depends -- with one form of incineration. At the

very end of our hierarchy, we have landfill, but of course technology

has changed and it is true to say their opportunities in incineration

to generate energy and I would expect people to consider it all

very carefully before making an announcement on this. The progress

of enterprise zones in Wales. The statement by the Business Minister

last we did set out how the policies shaping up on the ground

and I very much welcomed the progress so far. My question is

about our this affects small and the medium businesses, especially

those who qualify for the business rate part of the scheme. The first

round of applications is due to close on 11th February though

Tanner asked what the Government is doing to get worked out -- can I

ask what the Government is doing to get the word out? We are writing to

those concerned. Including directly to businesses in the science.

minister, following the Business Minister's statement last week

regarding progress being mate on Enterprise Zones, I'm sure you are

where she mentioned the possibility of discussions having begun

regarding the resurrection of the virtual enterprise zone in the

south-east Wales area. Could you tell us at what point those

discussions have reached? There is great merit in virtual enterprise

zones. Their tie in well with the plans we have of improving

broadband speeds across Wales. It is something we are considering in

great detail. TRANSLATION: thank you. First

Minister, how would you ensure that these Enterprise Zones will attract

companies that are already established in other parts of Wales

but do not have the advantages that these enterprise zones have now?

That is one of the great criticisms of the idea of Enterprise Zones so

what guarantee can you have that this will not happen in the future?

Translation we are ensuring that every enterprise Zen is a fiend,

for example, in the day love -- every Enterprise Zone has a theme.

For example, we want to make sure that the enterprise zones develop

industries that already exist in those areas. There is no evidence

today that this is going to need to companies or businesses relocating

from one part of Wales to another. Diolch yn fawr. Will be First

Minister make a statement on the plan to increase train and bus

journeys across Wales? Between four and 5% of trouble is taken on a bus

journeys and 3% through Rail. -- travel. In terms of what we're

doing to improve the situation, we have its funding, additional train

services and investment in stations. Thank you. You will be aware that

improving access to stations is a great way to boost numbers,

particularly in rural areas. Last month a fund was announced. You

have already identified some places in my own region where you would

like to see passenger services operate from. What can you do to

make sure they are ready for the next round of funding? She mentions

a number of stations that have been, are planned now, but are waiting

for funding and a plant in that future. Any new money to improve

stations is a very much welcome and we will be seeking details as to

harass the fund she refers to will be distributed.

TRANSLATION: First minister, the heart of Wales rail line travelling

through it and Llanelli is about to carry out a feasibility study and

the intention is to increase the number of customers using the train

and improved links with the sweets. Will he give an update on any

discussions with the representatives of the heart of

Wales line in terms of looking into a not-for-profit models when of the

time comes to renewing the franchise in 2018?

TRANSLATION: The minister has initiated a call for evidence in

March of last year and the railway people take their own evidence. We

have been supporting the work of the forum with regards to seeking

ways of improving the route itself and there are discussions taking

place at the moment between the industry and the Forum, that is the

heart of Wales forum, in order to ensure that everybody knows what

the next steps will be in regards creating a feasibility study on a

community management for at The free concessionary bus travel

scheme has been operating successfully for a number of years.

At concern that has been raised by some bus operators is that the

scheme is operated in consistently by some bus operators who may be

using it for their own financial advantage. Can I ask what measures

is the government taking in Wales to make sure the scheme is

operating consistently and the taxpayer is getting value for

money? The serious allegation he mentions is effectively fraud. If

he has evidence of this I would be more than happy to investigate.

There is a fraud team in place to investigate allegations, and any

information he can supply a would- be mill -- welcome. You will be

aware that there was an accident on the railroad in Pembrokeshire,

where a train collided with a car. This was a cross and where there

were no barriers available. There raise the issue with the transport

minister some time ago, and he said he would look into the issue

regarding these crossings which exist in Wales. What is the

intention of your government to insure that there are barriers on

all crossings? This is not within the Government's responsibilities,

but in a sea every crossing providing some sort of barrier in

order to ensure that cars do not cross while lights are dread, and

alarms are sounding. There have been accidents on a number of lines

in Wales over the years, and I would like to see all crossings

being dealt with in the same way. The afternoon. What plans does the

Welsh government have to Wickwar Paul fire engines with external

defibrillators? It is up to the authorities to determine how they

provide those? Some fire engines already carry these pieces of

equipment. I wondered if you agreed that it is slightly odd to ask

members of the public to use these defibrillators when they are

available in public place without any training, yet fire officers

often do not have the opportunity to use them. A number of them were

fitted five years ago. The Mid and West Wales firefighters have been

trained to use them, but they are not fitted at the moment. On

January 18th, a pilot was launched between the fire service trust

which aims to improve the response of community responders, which is a

template that can be used for other fire authorities as well, in terms

of North Wales. They are looking at finalising emergency arrangements,

but we understand the fibrin waiters will be available there, on

all appliances, in due course. the Government's -- what are the

priorities? EU funding has been used to drive infrastructure for

would, such as opening up dog wins in Port Talbot. -- the Docklands.

What action is the Government taking to improve future investment

and repair damaged confidence? We have by years of uncertainty now.

heard what the Prime Minister had to say, and I agreed with him. I

heard him say that the British people needed to have their say,

but that should not happen in the course of five years. It was a big

talking point last week, but I was talking to the Chamber of Commerce

and businesses. The US ambassador said this was a major issue, and

will take you to San Francisco and a fortnight. People will ask why

they should provide investment if there are not part of the EU. We

now see five years of uncertainty, which cannot be good. Recognising

the importance of Tata, to the community, since the most welcome

statements you made, there have been redundancies within the

company. Can you reassure us that you're doing all you can to prevent

further redundancies, and update on what action the task force has done

to help those affected? They are more than happy with the

relationship they have with us, and it is right to say that the steel

industry is going to be difficulties, but the investment

promised will enable port Talbot to overcome these difficulties. You

can see the results of the investment with the new blast

furnace being built. Without the investment, the future would be

very bleak indeed. We are fortunate they see the need to invest and

provide Port Talbot with a bright future. TRANSLATION: Just to expand

on that question, in terms of employment in TATA steel, and a 90

day consultation on the proposed loss of 500 jobs in the factory,

can you outline the work being done by ministers and officials in the

context of existing TATA steel to find employment for the workforce

that is to be affected, or to find employment near by so that people

will not have to leave the area? have been speaking to the union and

the company, and what is unclear at present is whether the majority of

the people, or perhaps all affected, might be taking voluntary

redundancy, this is something being considered at present. Will the

first minister make a statement on the contribution of co-operatives

and rituals? The play an important part. -- they play. I welcome the

work and the setting a pub off the co-operatives and mutual

Will the first minister specifically consider the

regeneration prospects and possibilities, and career the work

for word in Wales? Following a meeting yesterday, there was a

meeting with Professor Andrew David, and the commission will be making a

full report to the minister and the recommendations will be part of

that work. TRANSLATION: Do you agree that corporate of schools are

a particularly good position to develop strong links with local

businesses, businesses that can inform the curriculum and develop

entrepreneurship and develop next- generation of business leaders? I

want to ensure we have quality and high standards across the board,

and it is important that schools remain within the public sector and

do not leave it? -- and do not leave it. Co-operatives and small

businesses have insufficient funds to prosper. One such company has

plenty of orders, including a new contract, they appear to be

condemned to closure. Will you consider creating a new finance

stream, akin to the Welsh public bank idea that Plaid Cymru put

forward, and has been calling for for some time now? That would boost

the flagging economy and enable Welsh businesses, social

enterprises and co-operatives to survive and thrive? I seem to have

stepped into the middle of a dispute between cloud Cumbria and

the Tories on this! What I can say is that there is a commission that

has been set up a under Professor Dylan Jones, to look at these

issues. We are pleased to have him on board,... Will the outline the

Government's plans for housing reforms? Yes, the housing Wales

Bill will be announced this autumn, such -- including homelessness and

private sector landlords and letting agents. The White Paper

will be published soon. Where there are private homes that have been

faking for six months, and then the housing White Paper, -- have been

vacant, there is discretionary power for the council to charge

higher tax on them. Are these the sort of the narrative solutions to

a problem of wasted resources that will enable houses to be brought

back into use? We know that into properties impact on the supply of

housing those resource is, but they also attract antisocial behaviour.

The proposals we have in terms of council tax are part of a series of

measures that address the problem of empty properties. We also

recognise the need to give owners incentives, so we announced a

scheme to provide interest free loans for owners to bring their

properties back into use. Let us leave it there. You can see more

Let us pick up on some of that with the Welsh Affairs Editor, who has

been watching. Quite important topics coming up. Education went on

-- education was one of them. that may have been caused to

because of the sudden death over the weekend of the husband of the

social services minister, a figure who was liked across the chamber,

and people were upset and stand up by the news. -- stunned by the news.

People did not think it was an occasion to be aggressive or

humorous or over the top. The Liberal Democrats and Plaid Cymru

went on the recent education report, of which is always a fiery issue,

because we have a fiery Minister who is not backward in coming

forwards. What they were trying to do today was question why there

were all these initiatives and why so little was delivered. One

minister said there had been a Labour Education Minister for three

years. Carwyn Jones answered them as much as you would expect, but it

was interesting to hear Kirsty Williams say, blaming everyone but

yourself. That is something we may hear more of. There were a lot of

mentions of the economy. And the mention of a referendum. This,

David Cameron and the Conservatives have gone up in the polls by 5%

since he pledged that referendum. Welsh politicians on the left,

particularly in the Labour Party and Plaid Cymru sense the

popularity may not be the same across the border. We are hearing a

terror more and more, as this being not in the Welsh National Interest,

claiming that Wales benefits from being in the EU. The membership of

the EU and the terms of membership of the matter of the UK government,