0:00:20 > 0:00:24A good afternoon. Welcome to the programme. A weekly viewing of
0:00:24 > 0:00:30First Minister's questions coming up, Carwyn Jones is on his feet as
0:00:30 > 0:00:40I speak. Why do you not get in touch with us. You can twitter us
0:00:40 > 0:00:41
0:00:42 > 0:00:49or e-mail us. Off we go to the Senedd now for First Minister's
0:00:49 > 0:00:56questions. I call the Assembly to order.
0:00:56 > 0:01:01Question 1. Well the First Minister make a statement on the exploration
0:01:01 > 0:01:07of fossil energy resources in Wales? As with all types of energy,
0:01:07 > 0:01:12structure is required to ensure that impact on the communities and
0:01:12 > 0:01:16environment is at the heart of the concerns process. I thank you for
0:01:16 > 0:01:22your comments, but she will know that recently there was an
0:01:22 > 0:01:26application to test for oil and gas just off Newport. Bearing in mind
0:01:26 > 0:01:36what to have said, do you think it is time now for a few at -- a full
0:01:36 > 0:01:37
0:01:37 > 0:01:44statement? The licensing for onshore oil and gas is regulated by
0:01:44 > 0:01:48Dec. They have responsibility for that. In terms of other areas, such
0:01:48 > 0:01:56as offshore oil, these are matters that are primarily to do with the
0:01:56 > 0:01:59UK Government. We support where a new sources of fuel are being
0:02:00 > 0:02:09examined and drilled for and feel a precautionary approach should be
0:02:10 > 0:02:10
0:02:10 > 0:02:16taken. Doesn't the fact that there are departments of two governments
0:02:16 > 0:02:20dealing with the energy planning process, almost on all occasions,
0:02:20 > 0:02:25doesn't this emphasised the importance of better collaboration
0:02:25 > 0:02:30on policy framework and isn't it time that we had something similar
0:02:30 > 0:02:35to another town each related to other types of energy, not just
0:02:35 > 0:02:39renewable energy? There is very little point in doing that unless
0:02:39 > 0:02:45we get the same powers as Scotland and then it would be possible for
0:02:45 > 0:02:49Wales to look at the development of a comprehensive policy. At present,
0:02:49 > 0:02:55it is not possible to do that because of the fact that the
0:02:55 > 0:03:00responsibility is shared. In the executive's summary of its first
0:03:00 > 0:03:05annual report, the climate change Commission says, and I quote, as a
0:03:05 > 0:03:10nation, Wales is living beyond its environmental limits. It is over-
0:03:10 > 0:03:17reliant on fossil fuels and his amateur in unsustainable levels of
0:03:17 > 0:03:22greenhouse gases. While accepting that the withdrawal of reliance on
0:03:22 > 0:03:26such fossil fuels is more of a process than an event, what
0:03:26 > 0:03:31concrete steps will the First Minister out blind to actually
0:03:31 > 0:03:37advance this important agenda? have provided the framework for the
0:03:37 > 0:03:43development of onshore and offshore wind. We have helped to finance
0:03:43 > 0:03:50projects to develop further marine energy in Wales. We wish to reduce
0:03:50 > 0:03:59bills as carbon footprint in future. Well the first must do make a
0:03:59 > 0:04:02statement on his priorities for North Wales and 2012. Yes. They
0:04:02 > 0:04:07will run for Government. In a report last week, it made it clear
0:04:07 > 0:04:11that many high streets in Wales are struggling in the economic downturn
0:04:11 > 0:04:15and many turn centres -- town centres are in need for quick
0:04:15 > 0:04:18support from the Assembly Government. Do you accept that our
0:04:18 > 0:04:23business rate policy to reduce business rates and indeed scrap
0:04:23 > 0:04:27them for most small businesses in Wales would be a huge benefit to
0:04:27 > 0:04:31those businesses who are struggling during the economic downturn, and
0:04:31 > 0:04:38particularly help to reverse the trend of shop closures in our town
0:04:38 > 0:04:41centres? One-in-five shops in North Wales are closed. Of course, you
0:04:41 > 0:04:46will increase council tax in order to pay for that, is the one thing
0:04:46 > 0:04:50you at -- are met. You're right to say we have seen a decline in
0:04:50 > 0:04:55towels -- town centres. The customer bases have moved to the
0:04:55 > 0:04:59online retailing. We have seen large at -- large retailers suffer
0:04:59 > 0:05:08as well. We to regenerate our town centres, we have done that in many
0:05:08 > 0:05:12parts of Wales. By making town centres attractive places to shop,
0:05:12 > 0:05:20that will attract people into shop and provide shops with the
0:05:20 > 0:05:25customers they need. The welter of mad's aim is that all social
0:05:25 > 0:05:29housing in the counting -- country should attain a certain standard by
0:05:29 > 0:05:352012, however our report by the Auditor recently highlighted
0:05:35 > 0:05:42concerns over the process made in some areas. This comes in a year
0:05:42 > 0:05:45for the vocal authority suited to up rents, impacting many households.
0:05:45 > 0:05:52What work are you doing with Wrexham council to make should be
0:05:52 > 0:05:55put in effective planning to meet these standards? We are tenants of
0:05:55 > 0:05:59local authorities have voted to retain their housing stock,
0:05:59 > 0:06:02officials are working closely with the local authority to help them
0:06:02 > 0:06:12maximise the use of their resources to help them improve their
0:06:12 > 0:06:16properties. Thank you very much. In the The green paper on the
0:06:16 > 0:06:23environment which was issued yesterday, there is at reference to
0:06:23 > 0:06:28creating a single environmental body for Wales. The body at present
0:06:28 > 0:06:34is located in Bangor. Will the First Minister give a pledge that
0:06:34 > 0:06:38the innovative policy of that council, that will be transferred
0:06:38 > 0:06:45to the new body and look at the possibility of locating the body in
0:06:45 > 0:06:50the north-west? I up stand the member's interest, but once the new
0:06:50 > 0:06:54body is created, or we will have to consider for a best it should be
0:06:55 > 0:06:59placed. One organisation doing exceptional work to improve the
0:06:59 > 0:07:04quality of care of young patients in North Wales is the North Wales
0:07:04 > 0:07:06Chrysalis trust. This is the only organisation in North Wales
0:07:06 > 0:07:10specialising in support and professional counselling for
0:07:10 > 0:07:15children and parents who have suffered the death of a child or a
0:07:15 > 0:07:19young adult in the family. Does the First Minister share my view that
0:07:19 > 0:07:23the best way to safeguard his invaluable service is through their
0:07:23 > 0:07:27health board providing a service level agreement of core funding so
0:07:27 > 0:07:31that Chrysalis can plan their operations for more than a single
0:07:31 > 0:07:36year at a time? These are issues between Chrysalis and the local
0:07:36 > 0:07:39health board, from what you say Chrysalis provides its a very
0:07:39 > 0:07:44important service and the kind of service that is important in any
0:07:44 > 0:07:51part of Wales. And terms of how that service is provided, it is
0:07:51 > 0:07:58ultimately a matter for the local health board. We moved to parties -
0:07:58 > 0:08:02- questions from the party leaders. You published a document for Wales.
0:08:02 > 0:08:07In the document, you have a five- point plan for jobs. He cannot
0:08:07 > 0:08:11deliver any of them because they are reserved to Westminster. Why
0:08:11 > 0:08:16are they in the document at all? notice that the party opposite and
0:08:16 > 0:08:21what they say about jobs, their plan for jobs is nothing whatsoever.
0:08:21 > 0:08:27I'd do note that the unemployment figures in Wales have come down
0:08:27 > 0:08:32compared to the rest of the UK and Scotland where they have risen.
0:08:32 > 0:08:36There are many more months to come, but it does show that the policies
0:08:36 > 0:08:41of this Government in creating jobs in Wales are having the effect.
0:08:41 > 0:08:48find it strange that you have the document, its title is, at
0:08:48 > 0:08:55delivering for Wales. You have five points you cannot deliver. It says
0:08:55 > 0:08:58you want to cutback, you cannot do it. It says you want to have a one
0:08:58 > 0:09:03year national insurance tax break, you cannot do it. What is the point
0:09:03 > 0:09:10of having a document she cannot deliver on? Today, we also heard
0:09:10 > 0:09:14the announcement that 20% of 11 year-olds in Wales are functionally
0:09:14 > 0:09:18illiterate. Isn't that a damning indictment of your Government?
0:09:18 > 0:09:22Being in mind that you were in Government at the time that the
0:09:22 > 0:09:28report is dealing with. I think memories are short on the benches
0:09:28 > 0:09:31opposite. The reality is that we as the Government are pitting ahead
0:09:31 > 0:09:36National Literacy and numeral -- numerous the programmes and are
0:09:36 > 0:09:42confident that the figures will be improved on in years to come.
0:09:42 > 0:09:46fight this all very interesting. -- find this. First of what you have a
0:09:46 > 0:09:52document in which there are things you cannot deliver. You acknowledge
0:09:52 > 0:09:55that. Secondly, you do not take any responsibility for having a Labour
0:09:56 > 0:10:03education minister in post for 12 of the last years, every single one
0:10:03 > 0:10:06of them has been a Labour minister. Rather than being a complacent and
0:10:06 > 0:10:13do-nothing Government, isn't it time that you really invested
0:10:13 > 0:10:18proper play in education and skills to bring four worked as substantial
0:10:18 > 0:10:23capital programme to stimulate the economy and to assist small
0:10:23 > 0:10:25businesses with more help with business rates? Isn't that what a
0:10:25 > 0:10:34credible Welsh Government would do it in the current economic
0:10:35 > 0:10:41circumstances? Cannot just point out, �55 million was spent in
0:10:41 > 0:10:48supporting small billions as -- small businesses. �90 million to
0:10:48 > 0:10:53retain capital funding on -- to be spent on infrastructure. His party
0:10:53 > 0:10:58wanted to less than this. A �30 million in the skills grow as Wales
0:10:58 > 0:11:05scheme to support the creation of 3,000 jobs in the next three years.
0:11:05 > 0:11:15We are a party of dynamism. I look at the Members opposite and I
0:11:15 > 0:11:21
0:11:21 > 0:11:26wonder if they have gone to sleep! First Minister, would you not agree
0:11:26 > 0:11:31with me, what is so depressing about the contents of this report
0:11:31 > 0:11:36it is the fact that, not only are there 40% of our children entering
0:11:36 > 0:11:41secondary school with a chronic -- with a reading age below that of
0:11:41 > 0:11:46their actual age, is the fact that a year ago, their report said
0:11:46 > 0:11:52exactly the same? When you expect your Government to make progress on
0:11:52 > 0:12:00this figure? As I already mentioned, there is a national numeracy and
0:12:00 > 0:12:05literacy programme. You sell yourself short, at the grant will
0:12:05 > 0:12:12assist my view in helping many of those people who have -- pupils who
0:12:12 > 0:12:16have difficulty reading. Batted well, and that is by we are so
0:12:16 > 0:12:22determined to achieve that in the Budget. Can I turn to another
0:12:22 > 0:12:26aspect of the report? You and your education minister have made great
0:12:26 > 0:12:29play on this particular intervention. The report says
0:12:29 > 0:12:34senior members in local authorities do not generally monitor the work
0:12:34 > 0:12:39of school improvement officers rigorously enough to make sure it
0:12:39 > 0:12:44that the challenge all schools in a consistent way. Your education
0:12:44 > 0:12:47minister has made great play of the role of this consortium in tackling
0:12:47 > 0:12:52these problems. Isn't it the case that these consortia will be made
0:12:52 > 0:12:57up of the same services that the report today identified as not
0:12:57 > 0:13:03providing the improvement that they need? What makes you think that
0:13:03 > 0:13:07this repackaging exercise will attack the assisting problem?
0:13:07 > 0:13:14our reorganisation of the approaches that have been taken. I
0:13:14 > 0:13:19think the reality is that your party is guilty of failing to give
0:13:19 > 0:13:26a proper picture of education in Wales, because the report also
0:13:26 > 0:13:31confirms that there foundation stage Ms calls is improving, boys
0:13:31 > 0:13:35and girls are more confident and creative, up performance in four
0:13:35 > 0:13:40out of five primary schools and tour to three secondary schools is
0:13:40 > 0:13:45mainly good. We have also seen improvements in well being. People
0:13:45 > 0:13:50say they feel safe in schools. There are areas to be improved on
0:13:50 > 0:13:55but let us not suggest that somehow everything is difficult. This is
0:13:55 > 0:14:00serious. One in five children are leaving primary schools and cannot
0:14:00 > 0:14:03read and write properly. They have got no hope of succeeding in
0:14:03 > 0:14:07primary school -- secondary school because they cannot access the
0:14:07 > 0:14:11curriculum because they are not able to read and write. Last year
0:14:11 > 0:14:15when asked to this question, you told me everything was going to be
0:14:15 > 0:14:19OK because you education minister was about to make a speech. He made
0:14:19 > 0:14:23that speech but I want to know, off we are is the improvement? When
0:14:23 > 0:14:33hospitals fail you tell us Chamber it is the fault of the local health
0:14:33 > 0:14:34
0:14:34 > 0:14:38board. When our schools fail, at you claim that up on every one else.
0:14:38 > 0:14:41Another year has passed. Our children are still not succeeding.
0:14:41 > 0:14:50A simple question, will we be asking these questions the same
0:14:50 > 0:14:55time next year or will we see an The difficulty with that argument
0:14:55 > 0:14:59is, what is the point of the deprivation grant? You are arguing
0:14:59 > 0:15:02against your own policy. There is a 20 point plan that the Minister has
0:15:02 > 0:15:09been proactive in identifying, the national literacy programme will
0:15:09 > 0:15:13set up driving up standards, setting up how we intend to measure
0:15:13 > 0:15:22progress. Yes, next year I expect to see improvement. Leader of the
0:15:22 > 0:15:28Opposition and,. The co-founder of admiral said that the rights
0:15:28 > 0:15:33strategy for economic develop -- development was to find 25
0:15:33 > 0:15:37Admiral's. We have been waiting for one strategy on enterprise zones.
0:15:37 > 0:15:41Do you not think that the word government has been slow to act in
0:15:41 > 0:15:50attracting businesses to Wales? -- the Welsh government. Let me give
0:15:50 > 0:15:53you some examples of what has been done. In your own statistics, we
0:15:53 > 0:15:59have the second lowest start-up rate of businesses in the entire
0:15:59 > 0:16:03United Kingdom. Regrettably, first minister, that has been a year-on-
0:16:03 > 0:16:07year decline in start-up share in Wales. Is it not a fact that your
0:16:07 > 0:16:11government has bail Stoop -- failed to engage businesses, allowing the
0:16:12 > 0:16:16business is to flourish, to create the employment opportunities our
0:16:17 > 0:16:21young people need? It is a tide of indifference from the UK government.
0:16:21 > 0:16:27We have the youth and engagement and employment plant in place, we
0:16:27 > 0:16:33have be different schemes in place, all of these projects have been put
0:16:33 > 0:16:37in place in order to counteract the Inst -- inaction we see in London.
0:16:38 > 0:16:42Inaction, Harper million jobs have been created in the private sector.
0:16:42 > 0:16:47-- half a million jobs. Start-up rates have gone backwards in the
0:16:48 > 0:16:53last six years in Wales, and that go up -- goes up to 2010. Start-up
0:16:53 > 0:16:57rates now are below the start-up rate of 2002. I put it to you again,
0:16:57 > 0:17:00first minister, isn't it the case that your government and Welsh
0:17:00 > 0:17:04Labour in particular are unable to grasp the nettle of increasing the
0:17:04 > 0:17:08private sector here in Wales to increase the job opportunities this
0:17:08 > 0:17:13country desperately needs to live prosperity levels and lived a
0:17:13 > 0:17:17payment levels across our communities? If he can point to
0:17:17 > 0:17:21examples in London, I would love to see them. I have never seen a
0:17:21 > 0:17:25government so intent on destroying jobs in the public sector in the
0:17:25 > 0:17:29last 20 years. You would swear from the party opposite that jobs are
0:17:29 > 0:17:33being created in their thousands from the private sector, they are
0:17:33 > 0:17:36not. They wants to increase people in property, introduce regional
0:17:36 > 0:17:41paid to entrench that poverty, and insure that people in Wales are
0:17:42 > 0:17:45denied the opportunity to get well paid jobs. We will stand up for the
0:17:45 > 0:17:50people of Wales against the party opposite to reduce the people in
0:17:50 > 0:17:53Wales, nurses, doctors, police officers, teachers, we will stand
0:17:53 > 0:17:57against that and insure people in Wales have well-paid jobs as
0:17:57 > 0:18:02opposed to the kind of jobs the Tories want to see in Wales, mainly
0:18:02 > 0:18:12low-paid jobs to insure our economy stays in the position they want it
0:18:12 > 0:18:15to stay. We will provide optimism, they will provide decline. Question
0:18:15 > 0:18:20three. Will the first minister outline the Welsh government's
0:18:20 > 0:18:27priorities for south-east Wales for 2012? Yes, they are to be found in
0:18:27 > 0:18:33the government. If any reminder were needed, the rival -- the row
0:18:33 > 0:18:37over Stephen Hester's bonus is a real demonstration of how out of
0:18:37 > 0:18:43touch the bankers are with the real world. So we should not be deprived
0:18:43 > 0:18:49-- surprise that HSBC have decided to close the last branch in
0:18:49 > 0:18:54Bernardon, a decision causing immense anger amongst local people,
0:18:54 > 0:18:58and this is part other larger trend of closing banks in smaller
0:18:58 > 0:19:01villages across Wales. Would you agree that it is a disgrace for
0:19:01 > 0:19:08banks to cut and run from communities in this way, and they
0:19:08 > 0:19:13should instead look at all options that could seek services retained,
0:19:13 > 0:19:17including shared services? There are serious questions to be asked
0:19:17 > 0:19:22about financial services in communities that lose their backs.
0:19:22 > 0:19:27I very much regret this decision by a city -- HSBC. At a time when
0:19:27 > 0:19:34bankers are receiving bonuses in the millions, financial services
0:19:34 > 0:19:40are being denied will be put across Wales and the UK which is why as a
0:19:40 > 0:19:46party we always stated that it was wrong that the bonus of a million
0:19:46 > 0:19:49pounds to be given to Stephen Hester was wrong. It is all right
0:19:49 > 0:19:54for the Tories, and million pounds for people who have money, taking
0:19:54 > 0:20:00benefits away from those who do not. I have asked a question to the
0:20:00 > 0:20:04Minister of Finance about how the money for the Olympics would be
0:20:04 > 0:20:09spent across Wales, and how the people across South Wales would
0:20:09 > 0:20:13benefit. Has written reply was, the �8.9 million consequential has been
0:20:13 > 0:20:19added to the reserves for the current year, as is normal practice
0:20:19 > 0:20:25foot of the large government will determine its use in line with its
0:20:25 > 0:20:29strategic priorities. Could you kindly clarify how these
0:20:29 > 0:20:32consequential as real directly benefit of the residents of South
0:20:32 > 0:20:36Wales East in the upcoming the credit of Olympics, rather than
0:20:36 > 0:20:40just sitting in the Welsh Assembly government reserves, gathering
0:20:40 > 0:20:45dust? I find that astonishing. At a time when the Conservatives have
0:20:45 > 0:20:53cut funding to there Welsh government by 7.5%, this is money
0:20:53 > 0:20:57gathering dust? This is going to be used for the benefit for the people
0:20:57 > 0:21:04of Wales in order to it creates -- filled the gap that his party
0:21:04 > 0:21:06created. Will you make a statement on the work of the Community Health
0:21:06 > 0:21:10Councils in monitoring the quality of patient care in hospitals in
0:21:10 > 0:21:15Wales? They have an important role. The valuable contribution they make
0:21:15 > 0:21:22in the development of local health services is certainly something we
0:21:22 > 0:21:25recognise and something that is important. 33 your reply. Since the
0:21:25 > 0:21:29community health councils are expected to play this vital role in
0:21:29 > 0:21:32acting as advocates as patients and other service users, can we be
0:21:32 > 0:21:37assured their budgets will be favourably reviewed in view of
0:21:37 > 0:21:44their facts that their budgets were read -- reduced other tabard the
0:21:44 > 0:21:54NHS reorganisations? We will look at its bearing in mind the
0:21:54 > 0:21:55
0:21:55 > 0:22:01financial cuts we are seeing over In what way can Community Health
0:22:01 > 0:22:05Councils enable patients to get appointments out of hours, or early
0:22:05 > 0:22:10in the morning, or last thing at night? In line with our manifesto
0:22:10 > 0:22:16commitment? Community councils now have the authority to include
0:22:16 > 0:22:19establishments such as GP practices as a place where they can visit.
0:22:19 > 0:22:24And certainly, they are able to represent the interests of patients
0:22:24 > 0:22:30by doing so. Their members have undertaken visits through what are
0:22:30 > 0:22:35called mystery shopper exercises, through GP access service, and GP
0:22:35 > 0:22:43contract verification does it. In doing that, they can help to
0:22:43 > 0:22:48improve services. One thing which my party is warmly welcoming is the
0:22:48 > 0:22:52dignity spot checks, they will be undertaken by the health care
0:22:52 > 0:22:55Inspector of Wales in Welsh hospitals. What role do you see in
0:22:55 > 0:23:01community health councils in undertaking unannounced visit and
0:23:01 > 0:23:05checks in our hospitals in Wales, particularly in terms of hospital
0:23:05 > 0:23:10cleanliness and the dignity in care issue? It is important that the
0:23:10 > 0:23:14councils are able to visit the hospitals as often as possible in
0:23:14 > 0:23:19order to ensure that dignity is maintained, particularly but not
0:23:19 > 0:23:25exclusively for elderly patient, and also to assure the public that
0:23:25 > 0:23:28the hospitals are delivering services that they expect. What
0:23:28 > 0:23:35action thus the world government take to tackle substance misuse in
0:23:35 > 0:23:41Wales? -- the Welsh government? are continuing to implement the
0:23:41 > 0:23:46ten-year strategy of the substance misuse issue. A GP in north Wales
0:23:46 > 0:23:51running a substance misuse clinic told me that if medication is taken
0:23:51 > 0:23:56as prescribed, the benefit of harm reduction is huge, stopping someone
0:23:56 > 0:24:02dying or committing crime. But it needs tighter rules on the basis of
0:24:02 > 0:24:08abstinence. How do you reach -- response to the Council of Welsh
0:24:08 > 0:24:18alcohol to move to a recovery model. Is that of the state enabling
0:24:18 > 0:24:24substance misusers and there medicine. We are always keen to
0:24:24 > 0:24:30examine new method of assisting people who addict's of alcohol or -
0:24:30 > 0:24:39- who are addicts of other drugs and alcohol. We will keep this in
0:24:39 > 0:24:42mind. On the whole, alcohol consumption is declining and these
0:24:42 > 0:24:46welcome figures might conceal serious and over it problems in all
0:24:46 > 0:24:50the people. How is the Welsh government insuring that people
0:24:50 > 0:24:59working with older people can see alcohol dependency and offer
0:24:59 > 0:25:03appropriate to help? Our strategy committed a clear national agenda -
0:25:03 > 0:25:10- commits to a clear national agenda in reducing harm to older
0:25:10 > 0:25:15people. TRANSLATION: Had what steps is the world government taking to
0:25:15 > 0:25:23insure the work -- the Welsh government taking to ensure Wales
0:25:23 > 0:25:28will not continue in recession? will continue to insure jobs will
0:25:28 > 0:25:32be caught in the private sector. Well sticking to the Westminster
0:25:32 > 0:25:36governments capital programme and the cuts, will it help take Wales
0:25:36 > 0:25:41out of recession or keep well in a recession? It will keep Wales in a
0:25:41 > 0:25:46recession, that is why we should look at other sources as regards
0:25:46 > 0:25:51capital funding, namely securing borrowing powers, ultimately. This
0:25:51 > 0:25:57is something which is being considered at present between the
0:25:57 > 0:26:04government here in Cardiff and the government in London. With the
0:26:04 > 0:26:09first Minister agree that a successful sale of peacocks --
0:26:09 > 0:26:15Peacocks would be a boost to us in Wales? And would he agree a
0:26:15 > 0:26:20successful sale means keeping the head office, the three distribution
0:26:20 > 0:26:25centres and a spread of shops over Wales including the one in my
0:26:25 > 0:26:29constituency? Yes, we regret the job losses that have taken place in
0:26:29 > 0:26:34Peacocks, but we would like to see a resolution would ahead of this
0:26:34 > 0:26:38remains in Cardiff, the distribution centres are kept open
0:26:38 > 0:26:41and as many shops as possible are kept open. Given the trading
0:26:41 > 0:26:46situation we have, that is something which is realistic, but
0:26:46 > 0:26:51more needs to be word -- more work needs to be done. TRANSLATION:
0:26:51 > 0:26:54Please let the business at minister -- I am pleased that the business
0:26:54 > 0:26:57minister is going to be making a statement on enterprise zones. The
0:26:57 > 0:27:01first Minister will be aware that a study published yesterday
0:27:01 > 0:27:06demonstrated that businesses in west and north Wales are finding it
0:27:06 > 0:27:09more difficult to exist through the recession. Can the first Minister
0:27:09 > 0:27:14confirm that his government and the business minister have considered
0:27:14 > 0:27:17these weaker areas in terms of the economy in making decisions on
0:27:17 > 0:27:22enterprise zones, and what other purpose biff -- specific steps is
0:27:22 > 0:27:27the government taking to support businesses in my constituency?
0:27:27 > 0:27:33TRANSLATION: We have given consideration to that and I'm sure
0:27:33 > 0:27:37that the member will await the statements with interest. In local
0:27:38 > 0:27:40communities, in a recession period, those on benefits spend most of
0:27:40 > 0:27:45their money in the local community and it contributes to supporting
0:27:45 > 0:27:49local shops and so on. Recent talks of not only regional pay but now
0:27:49 > 0:27:54moving on to regional caps and regional benefits is obviously of
0:27:54 > 0:27:58concern. Has there been any consultation at all with Ute with
0:27:58 > 0:28:04the UK government with these proposals? No, we oppose regional
0:28:04 > 0:28:09pay, we oppose regional tax on benefits, and we oppose when the --
0:28:09 > 0:28:15regional benefits, that is clear. Will the first minister make a
0:28:15 > 0:28:20statement on the last government's policy for raising educational
0:28:21 > 0:28:25standards? Yes, they are included in the Minister's statement from
0:28:25 > 0:28:29last year. We have heard in previous questions comments
0:28:29 > 0:28:33regarding today's annual report which has highlighted the worrying
0:28:33 > 0:28:38statistic that 20% of pupils entering secondary school have a
0:28:38 > 0:28:42reading age below the level classed as functional literacy. Earlier, in
0:28:42 > 0:28:46answer to previous questions, I heard very little in the way of
0:28:46 > 0:28:52what your government intends to do about this. I note you have tried
0:28:52 > 0:28:55to blame other parties, but the fact is, the Labour Party is the
0:28:55 > 0:29:02minority government. What are you proposing to do to alter course
0:29:02 > 0:29:05from the last 14 years of failure? Clearly the member didn't listen,
0:29:05 > 0:29:09nor do believe. -- leader of the Liberal Democrats, judging from her
0:29:09 > 0:29:14off Mike comments. I can say we have plans to deal with this issue,
0:29:14 > 0:29:17we have the national literacy programme being developed. It is
0:29:17 > 0:29:20important that these reports are produced in order to identify where
0:29:20 > 0:29:24they need to be improvement, that is something the government accepts
0:29:24 > 0:29:29and that is what we plan to do. It is rich or the party opposite to
0:29:29 > 0:29:34start talking about improving education, when, by their own
0:29:34 > 0:29:37admission, they cut education spending by 20%. You only reproof -
0:29:37 > 0:29:47- improved standards by removing money from those who needed it the
0:29:47 > 0:29:51
0:29:51 > 0:29:56The SEP- 2011 report on their grip on equalities prevented to the
0:29:56 > 0:29:59Education Minister linked poor educational outcomes from
0:29:59 > 0:30:05disengagement to learning. What action is the Welsh Government
0:30:05 > 0:30:09seeking to address this? Of course, through the youth engagement and
0:30:09 > 0:30:15employment plan we are looking at ways to ensure that young people at
0:30:15 > 0:30:20able to gain employment. We are looking at people tracking, to
0:30:20 > 0:30:27ensure pupils have an accurate view of what they can achieve. -- pupil
0:30:27 > 0:30:31tracking. Schools will work with parents and local communities to
0:30:31 > 0:30:41participate in young people's learning and this is strengthening
0:30:41 > 0:30:41
0:30:42 > 0:30:45the desire of young people to learn further. In discussion this morning
0:30:45 > 0:30:50on the uncomfortable report that dealt with literacy levels amongst
0:30:50 > 0:30:55pupils, one primary school head teacher said to that a pledge had
0:30:55 > 0:30:58been made a year ago to have a national reading test and that they
0:30:58 > 0:31:05were still waiting for this. Why our head teachers still waiting for
0:31:05 > 0:31:11this? That does not mean that schools do not have to focus on
0:31:11 > 0:31:15reading, I do not see that impacts on the work that schools have to do
0:31:15 > 0:31:20with children. As I said, a programme is being developed and
0:31:20 > 0:31:24will be available in the near future. What recent discussions has
0:31:24 > 0:31:29the First Minister had with the UK Government at public sector pay
0:31:29 > 0:31:37levels and Wales? I have written to their prime minister and the Chief
0:31:37 > 0:31:41Treasury -- Secretary to the Treasury about this. We have seen a
0:31:41 > 0:31:47lot in the news in recent days about obscene levels of wages and
0:31:47 > 0:31:51bonus payments within the banking sector. I would say that there have
0:31:51 > 0:31:57also been at some I'm raising salaries and packagers within the
0:31:57 > 0:32:02public sector. Sky high six -- salaries for chief executives seem
0:32:02 > 0:32:08to raise year-on-year, regardless of the recession, and this has
0:32:08 > 0:32:11caused a lot of anger among us a lot of random file or public sector
0:32:11 > 0:32:16workers who are being squeezed. Would you agree to look at the
0:32:16 > 0:32:21upper level of wages in the public sector and consider supporting the
0:32:21 > 0:32:25introduction of a maximum wage so that the person at the top of an
0:32:25 > 0:32:30organisation would not be able to earn a certain ratio of the lowest-
0:32:30 > 0:32:35paid worker? It is important that chief executives and those in
0:32:35 > 0:32:40positions of leadership set a good example and clearly this is not
0:32:40 > 0:32:44sustainable -- sustainable for those at the top to accept large
0:32:44 > 0:32:48pay increases for those who are more poorly paid to except
0:32:48 > 0:32:57reductions. That is something that no public sector chief executive
0:32:57 > 0:33:02should promote. Last week, I asked a question about consultation over
0:33:02 > 0:33:08NHS pay review is with regard to Government proposals to introduce
0:33:08 > 0:33:15regional pay. Have there been any proposals with respect to other
0:33:15 > 0:33:19sectors? No. There has been no consultation. This was something
0:33:19 > 0:33:23that was announced by the UK Government and we have expressed
0:33:23 > 0:33:29our few very clearly. We stand against any introduction of
0:33:29 > 0:33:34regional pay. The First Minister knows full well that no decisions
0:33:34 > 0:33:39had been taking as yet as regards regional pay and I know very well
0:33:39 > 0:33:43what the view of the First Minister on this issue is. Ironically, it
0:33:43 > 0:33:48was the previous UK it Labour Government that introduced regional
0:33:48 > 0:33:53pay into the court service in the first place. Not withstanding that,
0:33:53 > 0:33:57following this review, or will First Minister reconsider his
0:33:57 > 0:34:01stance, bearing in mind that the UK Labour Party is in favour of
0:34:02 > 0:34:07regional pay and also well the first Mr take the opportunity to
0:34:07 > 0:34:13work with the UK Government and feed into that review? -- First
0:34:13 > 0:34:19Minister. First to rock, it is conservative and Liberal Democrats
0:34:19 > 0:34:25running the UK Government now, and not a Labour Government. -- first
0:34:25 > 0:34:30of all. The Tories have to do the same thing. We are against any
0:34:30 > 0:34:37regional pay. We have never supported regional pay. We are also,
0:34:37 > 0:34:42as the Government, against regional payments and, therefore, and we do
0:34:42 > 0:34:48not think people in Wales should be paid less than people in the UK. Is
0:34:48 > 0:34:53that the view of the Conservative Party? You were present at the
0:34:53 > 0:34:57Choose Life project recently when it the leader of quack manager
0:34:57 > 0:35:02County Council made her now well- known can -- comments that she
0:35:02 > 0:35:07would not have any problem at all with her 9,000 workers if only they
0:35:07 > 0:35:11worked hard. What did you do on that day to stand up for public
0:35:11 > 0:35:16sector workers and what is sure party doing in coalition with a
0:35:16 > 0:35:20leader who has so little respect for public sector workers?
0:35:20 > 0:35:25Apposition is absolutely clear. We do not accept regional pay and we
0:35:25 > 0:35:35do not accept regional benefits bought a regional camp on -- cap on
0:35:35 > 0:35:36
0:35:36 > 0:35:39benefits. The Royal College of Nursing has warned that a move that
0:35:39 > 0:35:46can see Tina's is doing the same job but with a wide disparity in
0:35:46 > 0:35:49their pay and seriously short changed pig -- patients. All nurses
0:35:49 > 0:35:53are filling a perspiring cost of living. D'you agree with me that
0:35:53 > 0:35:57the UK Government's proposals would have a serious effect on nurse
0:35:57 > 0:36:03morale and our ability to recruit nurses with the right skills and
0:36:03 > 0:36:09experience to serve - Macs are people in Wales. Their proposals
0:36:09 > 0:36:15would result in a nurse in Cardiff being paid less than one in Bristol.
0:36:15 > 0:36:20It would mean a VAT and nurse end one hospital would be paid less
0:36:20 > 0:36:24than in another. That is madness. In no sense will be as the
0:36:24 > 0:36:31Government except that. We believe that when people work hard, they
0:36:31 > 0:36:34deserve to be rewarded fairly. First Minister make a statement on
0:36:34 > 0:36:42the future development of the format Ely paper mill site in the
0:36:42 > 0:36:47Cardiff West constituency? We are going to invest �6 million to
0:36:47 > 0:36:51facilitate a works the to develop housing scheme on the site. I was
0:36:51 > 0:36:55grateful for a letter earlier this week from the enterprise minister
0:36:55 > 0:37:00confirming that dedicated pensioner accommodation was being actively
0:37:00 > 0:37:05considered for the loo paper mill site. The nearby estate in Cardiff
0:37:05 > 0:37:10West have all -- well over 100 family houses currently occupied by
0:37:10 > 0:37:13single pensioners. They find it difficult to heat and maintain his
0:37:13 > 0:37:21properties. Would you agree that if we were to work carefully with that
0:37:21 > 0:37:25community, there is an opportunity to provide a more suitable Op --
0:37:25 > 0:37:32accommodation and to release a substantial number of family houses
0:37:32 > 0:37:35akin to the supply of family accommodation. I do. I think it is
0:37:35 > 0:37:40appropriate there -- important there is an appropriate mix of
0:37:40 > 0:37:43housing on the site and in providing that next it will be
0:37:43 > 0:37:52important to look at the need for it different provision for families
0:37:52 > 0:37:56of different sizes. I have listened to you on various questions today.
0:37:56 > 0:38:00When sites like this become redundant, there is a displacement
0:38:00 > 0:38:05of workers that rely on the support of the state in some instances --
0:38:05 > 0:38:11instances by the benefits system. You're a party in London clearly do
0:38:11 > 0:38:17want a benefits cap, and yet you are saying here today that you are
0:38:17 > 0:38:27Paul -- a pause that. Is that disjointed message coming from you
0:38:27 > 0:38:29
0:38:29 > 0:38:33as First Minister? -- opposed that. I listen with astonishment at what
0:38:33 > 0:38:37the Leader of the Opposition said. We have no problem at all
0:38:37 > 0:38:43expressing a Welsh Labour view. If that is a different you then UK
0:38:43 > 0:38:45labour, so be it. That is the nature of devolution. When will the
0:38:46 > 0:38:49Leader of the Opposition say anything different at what he is
0:38:50 > 0:38:55told by David Cameron? All he does his pad out the same lines as the
0:38:55 > 0:39:00UK Government. When will you stand up for the people of Wales? Never.
0:39:00 > 0:39:06All he does is to read out what ever he has been given by his
0:39:06 > 0:39:11masters in London. May I remind members that this is a question
0:39:11 > 0:39:15about Ely paper mill site. welcome the plans to renovate the
0:39:15 > 0:39:19site in question, which has been left derelict for more than 10
0:39:19 > 0:39:25years. I welcome the jobs and affordable housing that it will
0:39:25 > 0:39:30provide. What I take issue with is the limit of his bus Government's
0:39:30 > 0:39:34ambition and scope with regards to capital projects. The economy of
0:39:34 > 0:39:37Wales is crying out for a large- scale capital programmes to be
0:39:37 > 0:39:46brought forward in order to this to the struggling construction
0:39:46 > 0:39:51industry. First Minister, can you tell us what is stopping you
0:39:51 > 0:39:54Government from offering this lifeline? Do they need -- need to
0:39:55 > 0:39:59read out once again all the things we have done in terms of boosting
0:39:59 > 0:40:04the economy? All the millions of pounds that have been invested? The
0:40:04 > 0:40:08different schemes that have been put in place? All designed to --
0:40:08 > 0:40:16all designed to ensure we create jobs. We're is Plaid Cymru, they
0:40:16 > 0:40:23have gone -- they had been nowhere in this debate. -- Weir is Plaid
0:40:23 > 0:40:28Cymru? We will not allow Wales to be dragged down to the level and an
0:40:28 > 0:40:35edition. You can see more proceedings on BBC
0:40:35 > 0:40:41Wales democracy alive. Quarter the website on screen now.
0:40:41 > 0:40:45As usual, to put over the bones of First Minister's questions our
0:40:45 > 0:40:49correspondent is here. If we follow one of from what Carwyn Jones was
0:40:49 > 0:40:54discussing their, he was as hacking Plaid Cymru for lack of ambition.
0:40:54 > 0:40:59This was following on from a similar accusations aimed at 10,
0:40:59 > 0:41:06that his Government is a complacent, do-nothing Government. -- beamed at
0:41:06 > 0:41:09him. Who is telling the truth? is not for us to judge. We can see
0:41:10 > 0:41:14how it is the central argument between the three opposition
0:41:14 > 0:41:19parties. The opposition party see it as a Government that is low on
0:41:19 > 0:41:23its feet, but has done very little since election, and that may partly
0:41:23 > 0:41:26be because Assembly members themselves have at -- have not had
0:41:26 > 0:41:33much to do because there has not been much legislation. But it
0:41:33 > 0:41:37certainly has been essential battle. Within that, is a particular battle
0:41:38 > 0:41:41between Plaid Cymru and Labour, because both those parties are
0:41:41 > 0:41:47currently going through a leadership election and are trying
0:41:47 > 0:41:50to position themselves as the party that will defend Wales against the
0:41:51 > 0:41:55Lib Dem a Conservative Government in Westminster. That was central
0:41:55 > 0:42:00and last year's Assembly election and that battle for that position
0:42:00 > 0:42:07will continue. If we look at what the other leaders questioned the
0:42:07 > 0:42:10First Minister on, there was top of enterprise zones. Claims that the
0:42:10 > 0:42:15Government are not doing enough to bring them here to Wales. We're
0:42:15 > 0:42:20going to hear some more from the Government later. Yes, and that
0:42:20 > 0:42:24maybe in response to this attack. What about a man says is that they
0:42:24 > 0:42:27have announced some themed enterprise zones -- enterprise
0:42:27 > 0:42:31zones but we cannot tell you much more because there are still in
0:42:31 > 0:42:36negotiations with their UK Government about certain aspects of
0:42:36 > 0:42:46how they will work. We may get something on that today. We may get
0:42:46 > 0:42:46
0:42:46 > 0:42:50the announcement of some additional ones. We may well see some
0:42:50 > 0:42:53announcements about it the possibility of how many more or
0:42:53 > 0:42:57enterprises there will be and how they will work. Is there an
0:42:57 > 0:43:01argument that the whole of Wales could become one enterprise zone?
0:43:01 > 0:43:05The Government would love that if they had the resources. The whole
0:43:05 > 0:43:09point of enterprise zones is encouraging industries and
0:43:10 > 0:43:15employers to go to that particular place. If you cut research from the
0:43:15 > 0:43:18last time enterprise zones around, it looks like all they do is shift