31/01/2012 am.pm

A good afternoon. Welcome to the programme. A weekly viewing of

First Minister's questions coming up, Carwyn Jones is on his feet as

I speak. Why do you not get in touch with us. You can twitter us

or e-mail us. Off we go to the Senedd now for First Minister's

questions. I call the Assembly to order.

Question 1. Well the First Minister make a statement on the exploration

of fossil energy resources in Wales? As with all types of energy,

structure is required to ensure that impact on the communities and

environment is at the heart of the concerns process. I thank you for

your comments, but she will know that recently there was an

application to test for oil and gas just off Newport. Bearing in mind

what to have said, do you think it is time now for a few at -- a full

statement? The licensing for onshore oil and gas is regulated by

Dec. They have responsibility for that. In terms of other areas, such

as offshore oil, these are matters that are primarily to do with the

UK Government. We support where a new sources of fuel are being

examined and drilled for and feel a precautionary approach should be

taken. Doesn't the fact that there are departments of two governments

dealing with the energy planning process, almost on all occasions,

doesn't this emphasised the importance of better collaboration

on policy framework and isn't it time that we had something similar

to another town each related to other types of energy, not just

renewable energy? There is very little point in doing that unless

we get the same powers as Scotland and then it would be possible for

Wales to look at the development of a comprehensive policy. At present,

it is not possible to do that because of the fact that the

responsibility is shared. In the executive's summary of its first

annual report, the climate change Commission says, and I quote, as a

nation, Wales is living beyond its environmental limits. It is over-

reliant on fossil fuels and his amateur in unsustainable levels of

greenhouse gases. While accepting that the withdrawal of reliance on

such fossil fuels is more of a process than an event, what

concrete steps will the First Minister out blind to actually

advance this important agenda? have provided the framework for the

development of onshore and offshore wind. We have helped to finance

projects to develop further marine energy in Wales. We wish to reduce

bills as carbon footprint in future. Well the first must do make a

statement on his priorities for North Wales and 2012. Yes. They

will run for Government. In a report last week, it made it clear

that many high streets in Wales are struggling in the economic downturn

and many turn centres -- town centres are in need for quick

support from the Assembly Government. Do you accept that our

business rate policy to reduce business rates and indeed scrap

them for most small businesses in Wales would be a huge benefit to

those businesses who are struggling during the economic downturn, and

particularly help to reverse the trend of shop closures in our town

centres? One-in-five shops in North Wales are closed. Of course, you

will increase council tax in order to pay for that, is the one thing

you at -- are met. You're right to say we have seen a decline in

towels -- town centres. The customer bases have moved to the

online retailing. We have seen large at -- large retailers suffer

as well. We to regenerate our town centres, we have done that in many

parts of Wales. By making town centres attractive places to shop,

that will attract people into shop and provide shops with the

customers they need. The welter of mad's aim is that all social

housing in the counting -- country should attain a certain standard by

2012, however our report by the Auditor recently highlighted

concerns over the process made in some areas. This comes in a year

for the vocal authority suited to up rents, impacting many households.

What work are you doing with Wrexham council to make should be

put in effective planning to meet these standards? We are tenants of

local authorities have voted to retain their housing stock,

officials are working closely with the local authority to help them

maximise the use of their resources to help them improve their

properties. Thank you very much. In the The green paper on the

environment which was issued yesterday, there is at reference to

creating a single environmental body for Wales. The body at present

is located in Bangor. Will the First Minister give a pledge that

the innovative policy of that council, that will be transferred

to the new body and look at the possibility of locating the body in

the north-west? I up stand the member's interest, but once the new

body is created, or we will have to consider for a best it should be

placed. One organisation doing exceptional work to improve the

quality of care of young patients in North Wales is the North Wales

Chrysalis trust. This is the only organisation in North Wales

specialising in support and professional counselling for

children and parents who have suffered the death of a child or a

young adult in the family. Does the First Minister share my view that

the best way to safeguard his invaluable service is through their

health board providing a service level agreement of core funding so

that Chrysalis can plan their operations for more than a single

year at a time? These are issues between Chrysalis and the local

health board, from what you say Chrysalis provides its a very

important service and the kind of service that is important in any

part of Wales. And terms of how that service is provided, it is

ultimately a matter for the local health board. We moved to parties -

- questions from the party leaders. You published a document for Wales.

In the document, you have a five- point plan for jobs. He cannot

deliver any of them because they are reserved to Westminster. Why

are they in the document at all? notice that the party opposite and

what they say about jobs, their plan for jobs is nothing whatsoever.

I'd do note that the unemployment figures in Wales have come down

compared to the rest of the UK and Scotland where they have risen.

There are many more months to come, but it does show that the policies

of this Government in creating jobs in Wales are having the effect.

find it strange that you have the document, its title is, at

delivering for Wales. You have five points you cannot deliver. It says

you want to cutback, you cannot do it. It says you want to have a one

year national insurance tax break, you cannot do it. What is the point

of having a document she cannot deliver on? Today, we also heard

the announcement that 20% of 11 year-olds in Wales are functionally

illiterate. Isn't that a damning indictment of your Government?

Being in mind that you were in Government at the time that the

report is dealing with. I think memories are short on the benches

opposite. The reality is that we as the Government are pitting ahead

National Literacy and numeral -- numerous the programmes and are

confident that the figures will be improved on in years to come.

fight this all very interesting. -- find this. First of what you have a

document in which there are things you cannot deliver. You acknowledge

that. Secondly, you do not take any responsibility for having a Labour

education minister in post for 12 of the last years, every single one

of them has been a Labour minister. Rather than being a complacent and

do-nothing Government, isn't it time that you really invested

proper play in education and skills to bring four worked as substantial

capital programme to stimulate the economy and to assist small

businesses with more help with business rates? Isn't that what a

credible Welsh Government would do it in the current economic

circumstances? Cannot just point out, �55 million was spent in

supporting small billions as -- small businesses. �90 million to

retain capital funding on -- to be spent on infrastructure. His party

wanted to less than this. A �30 million in the skills grow as Wales

scheme to support the creation of 3,000 jobs in the next three years.

We are a party of dynamism. I look at the Members opposite and I

wonder if they have gone to sleep! First Minister, would you not agree

with me, what is so depressing about the contents of this report

it is the fact that, not only are there 40% of our children entering

secondary school with a chronic -- with a reading age below that of

their actual age, is the fact that a year ago, their report said

exactly the same? When you expect your Government to make progress on

this figure? As I already mentioned, there is a national numeracy and

literacy programme. You sell yourself short, at the grant will

assist my view in helping many of those people who have -- pupils who

have difficulty reading. Batted well, and that is by we are so

determined to achieve that in the Budget. Can I turn to another

aspect of the report? You and your education minister have made great

play on this particular intervention. The report says

senior members in local authorities do not generally monitor the work

of school improvement officers rigorously enough to make sure it

that the challenge all schools in a consistent way. Your education

minister has made great play of the role of this consortium in tackling

these problems. Isn't it the case that these consortia will be made

up of the same services that the report today identified as not

providing the improvement that they need? What makes you think that

this repackaging exercise will attack the assisting problem?

our reorganisation of the approaches that have been taken. I

think the reality is that your party is guilty of failing to give

a proper picture of education in Wales, because the report also

confirms that there foundation stage Ms calls is improving, boys

and girls are more confident and creative, up performance in four

out of five primary schools and tour to three secondary schools is

mainly good. We have also seen improvements in well being. People

say they feel safe in schools. There are areas to be improved on

but let us not suggest that somehow everything is difficult. This is

serious. One in five children are leaving primary schools and cannot

read and write properly. They have got no hope of succeeding in

primary school -- secondary school because they cannot access the

curriculum because they are not able to read and write. Last year

when asked to this question, you told me everything was going to be

OK because you education minister was about to make a speech. He made

that speech but I want to know, off we are is the improvement? When

hospitals fail you tell us Chamber it is the fault of the local health

board. When our schools fail, at you claim that up on every one else.

Another year has passed. Our children are still not succeeding.

A simple question, will we be asking these questions the same

time next year or will we see an The difficulty with that argument

is, what is the point of the deprivation grant? You are arguing

against your own policy. There is a 20 point plan that the Minister has

been proactive in identifying, the national literacy programme will

set up driving up standards, setting up how we intend to measure

progress. Yes, next year I expect to see improvement. Leader of the

Opposition and,. The co-founder of admiral said that the rights

strategy for economic develop -- development was to find 25

Admiral's. We have been waiting for one strategy on enterprise zones.

Do you not think that the word government has been slow to act in

attracting businesses to Wales? -- the Welsh government. Let me give

you some examples of what has been done. In your own statistics, we

have the second lowest start-up rate of businesses in the entire

United Kingdom. Regrettably, first minister, that has been a year-on-

year decline in start-up share in Wales. Is it not a fact that your

government has bail Stoop -- failed to engage businesses, allowing the

business is to flourish, to create the employment opportunities our

young people need? It is a tide of indifference from the UK government.

We have the youth and engagement and employment plant in place, we

have be different schemes in place, all of these projects have been put

in place in order to counteract the Inst -- inaction we see in London.

Inaction, Harper million jobs have been created in the private sector.

-- half a million jobs. Start-up rates have gone backwards in the

last six years in Wales, and that go up -- goes up to 2010. Start-up

rates now are below the start-up rate of 2002. I put it to you again,

first minister, isn't it the case that your government and Welsh

Labour in particular are unable to grasp the nettle of increasing the

private sector here in Wales to increase the job opportunities this

country desperately needs to live prosperity levels and lived a

payment levels across our communities? If he can point to

examples in London, I would love to see them. I have never seen a

government so intent on destroying jobs in the public sector in the

last 20 years. You would swear from the party opposite that jobs are

being created in their thousands from the private sector, they are

not. They wants to increase people in property, introduce regional

paid to entrench that poverty, and insure that people in Wales are

denied the opportunity to get well paid jobs. We will stand up for the

people of Wales against the party opposite to reduce the people in

Wales, nurses, doctors, police officers, teachers, we will stand

against that and insure people in Wales have well-paid jobs as

opposed to the kind of jobs the Tories want to see in Wales, mainly

low-paid jobs to insure our economy stays in the position they want it

to stay. We will provide optimism, they will provide decline. Question

three. Will the first minister outline the Welsh government's

priorities for south-east Wales for 2012? Yes, they are to be found in

the government. If any reminder were needed, the rival -- the row

over Stephen Hester's bonus is a real demonstration of how out of

touch the bankers are with the real world. So we should not be deprived

-- surprise that HSBC have decided to close the last branch in

Bernardon, a decision causing immense anger amongst local people,

and this is part other larger trend of closing banks in smaller

villages across Wales. Would you agree that it is a disgrace for

banks to cut and run from communities in this way, and they

should instead look at all options that could seek services retained,

including shared services? There are serious questions to be asked

about financial services in communities that lose their backs.

I very much regret this decision by a city -- HSBC. At a time when

bankers are receiving bonuses in the millions, financial services

are being denied will be put across Wales and the UK which is why as a

party we always stated that it was wrong that the bonus of a million

pounds to be given to Stephen Hester was wrong. It is all right

for the Tories, and million pounds for people who have money, taking

benefits away from those who do not. I have asked a question to the

Minister of Finance about how the money for the Olympics would be

spent across Wales, and how the people across South Wales would

benefit. Has written reply was, the �8.9 million consequential has been

added to the reserves for the current year, as is normal practice

foot of the large government will determine its use in line with its

strategic priorities. Could you kindly clarify how these

consequential as real directly benefit of the residents of South

Wales East in the upcoming the credit of Olympics, rather than

just sitting in the Welsh Assembly government reserves, gathering

dust? I find that astonishing. At a time when the Conservatives have

cut funding to there Welsh government by 7.5%, this is money

gathering dust? This is going to be used for the benefit for the people

of Wales in order to it creates -- filled the gap that his party

created. Will you make a statement on the work of the Community Health

Councils in monitoring the quality of patient care in hospitals in

Wales? They have an important role. The valuable contribution they make

in the development of local health services is certainly something we

recognise and something that is important. 33 your reply. Since the

community health councils are expected to play this vital role in

acting as advocates as patients and other service users, can we be

assured their budgets will be favourably reviewed in view of

their facts that their budgets were read -- reduced other tabard the

NHS reorganisations? We will look at its bearing in mind the

financial cuts we are seeing over In what way can Community Health

Councils enable patients to get appointments out of hours, or early

in the morning, or last thing at night? In line with our manifesto

commitment? Community councils now have the authority to include

establishments such as GP practices as a place where they can visit.

And certainly, they are able to represent the interests of patients

by doing so. Their members have undertaken visits through what are

called mystery shopper exercises, through GP access service, and GP

contract verification does it. In doing that, they can help to

improve services. One thing which my party is warmly welcoming is the

dignity spot checks, they will be undertaken by the health care

Inspector of Wales in Welsh hospitals. What role do you see in

community health councils in undertaking unannounced visit and

checks in our hospitals in Wales, particularly in terms of hospital

cleanliness and the dignity in care issue? It is important that the

councils are able to visit the hospitals as often as possible in

order to ensure that dignity is maintained, particularly but not

exclusively for elderly patient, and also to assure the public that

the hospitals are delivering services that they expect. What

action thus the world government take to tackle substance misuse in

Wales? -- the Welsh government? are continuing to implement the

ten-year strategy of the substance misuse issue. A GP in north Wales

running a substance misuse clinic told me that if medication is taken

as prescribed, the benefit of harm reduction is huge, stopping someone

dying or committing crime. But it needs tighter rules on the basis of

abstinence. How do you reach -- response to the Council of Welsh

alcohol to move to a recovery model. Is that of the state enabling

substance misusers and there medicine. We are always keen to

examine new method of assisting people who addict's of alcohol or -

- who are addicts of other drugs and alcohol. We will keep this in

mind. On the whole, alcohol consumption is declining and these

welcome figures might conceal serious and over it problems in all

the people. How is the Welsh government insuring that people

working with older people can see alcohol dependency and offer

appropriate to help? Our strategy committed a clear national agenda -

- commits to a clear national agenda in reducing harm to older

people. TRANSLATION: Had what steps is the world government taking to

insure the work -- the Welsh government taking to ensure Wales

will not continue in recession? will continue to insure jobs will

be caught in the private sector. Well sticking to the Westminster

governments capital programme and the cuts, will it help take Wales

out of recession or keep well in a recession? It will keep Wales in a

recession, that is why we should look at other sources as regards

capital funding, namely securing borrowing powers, ultimately. This

is something which is being considered at present between the

government here in Cardiff and the government in London. With the

first Minister agree that a successful sale of peacocks --

Peacocks would be a boost to us in Wales? And would he agree a

successful sale means keeping the head office, the three distribution

centres and a spread of shops over Wales including the one in my

constituency? Yes, we regret the job losses that have taken place in

Peacocks, but we would like to see a resolution would ahead of this

remains in Cardiff, the distribution centres are kept open

and as many shops as possible are kept open. Given the trading

situation we have, that is something which is realistic, but

more needs to be word -- more work needs to be done. TRANSLATION:

Please let the business at minister -- I am pleased that the business

minister is going to be making a statement on enterprise zones. The

first Minister will be aware that a study published yesterday

demonstrated that businesses in west and north Wales are finding it

more difficult to exist through the recession. Can the first Minister

confirm that his government and the business minister have considered

these weaker areas in terms of the economy in making decisions on

enterprise zones, and what other purpose biff -- specific steps is

the government taking to support businesses in my constituency?

TRANSLATION: We have given consideration to that and I'm sure

that the member will await the statements with interest. In local

communities, in a recession period, those on benefits spend most of

their money in the local community and it contributes to supporting

local shops and so on. Recent talks of not only regional pay but now

moving on to regional caps and regional benefits is obviously of

concern. Has there been any consultation at all with Ute with

the UK government with these proposals? No, we oppose regional

pay, we oppose regional tax on benefits, and we oppose when the --

regional benefits, that is clear. Will the first minister make a

statement on the last government's policy for raising educational

standards? Yes, they are included in the Minister's statement from

last year. We have heard in previous questions comments

regarding today's annual report which has highlighted the worrying

statistic that 20% of pupils entering secondary school have a

reading age below the level classed as functional literacy. Earlier, in

answer to previous questions, I heard very little in the way of

what your government intends to do about this. I note you have tried

to blame other parties, but the fact is, the Labour Party is the

minority government. What are you proposing to do to alter course

from the last 14 years of failure? Clearly the member didn't listen,

nor do believe. -- leader of the Liberal Democrats, judging from her

off Mike comments. I can say we have plans to deal with this issue,

we have the national literacy programme being developed. It is

important that these reports are produced in order to identify where

they need to be improvement, that is something the government accepts

and that is what we plan to do. It is rich or the party opposite to

start talking about improving education, when, by their own

admission, they cut education spending by 20%. You only reproof -

- improved standards by removing money from those who needed it the

The SEP- 2011 report on their grip on equalities prevented to the

Education Minister linked poor educational outcomes from

disengagement to learning. What action is the Welsh Government

seeking to address this? Of course, through the youth engagement and

employment plan we are looking at ways to ensure that young people at

able to gain employment. We are looking at people tracking, to

ensure pupils have an accurate view of what they can achieve. -- pupil

tracking. Schools will work with parents and local communities to

participate in young people's learning and this is strengthening

the desire of young people to learn further. In discussion this morning

on the uncomfortable report that dealt with literacy levels amongst

pupils, one primary school head teacher said to that a pledge had

been made a year ago to have a national reading test and that they

were still waiting for this. Why our head teachers still waiting for

this? That does not mean that schools do not have to focus on

reading, I do not see that impacts on the work that schools have to do

with children. As I said, a programme is being developed and

will be available in the near future. What recent discussions has

the First Minister had with the UK Government at public sector pay

levels and Wales? I have written to their prime minister and the Chief

Treasury -- Secretary to the Treasury about this. We have seen a

lot in the news in recent days about obscene levels of wages and

bonus payments within the banking sector. I would say that there have

also been at some I'm raising salaries and packagers within the

public sector. Sky high six -- salaries for chief executives seem

to raise year-on-year, regardless of the recession, and this has

caused a lot of anger among us a lot of random file or public sector

workers who are being squeezed. Would you agree to look at the

upper level of wages in the public sector and consider supporting the

introduction of a maximum wage so that the person at the top of an

organisation would not be able to earn a certain ratio of the lowest-

paid worker? It is important that chief executives and those in

positions of leadership set a good example and clearly this is not

sustainable -- sustainable for those at the top to accept large

pay increases for those who are more poorly paid to except

reductions. That is something that no public sector chief executive

should promote. Last week, I asked a question about consultation over

NHS pay review is with regard to Government proposals to introduce

regional pay. Have there been any proposals with respect to other

sectors? No. There has been no consultation. This was something

that was announced by the UK Government and we have expressed

our few very clearly. We stand against any introduction of

regional pay. The First Minister knows full well that no decisions

had been taking as yet as regards regional pay and I know very well

what the view of the First Minister on this issue is. Ironically, it

was the previous UK it Labour Government that introduced regional

pay into the court service in the first place. Not withstanding that,

following this review, or will First Minister reconsider his

stance, bearing in mind that the UK Labour Party is in favour of

regional pay and also well the first Mr take the opportunity to

work with the UK Government and feed into that review? -- First

Minister. First to rock, it is conservative and Liberal Democrats

running the UK Government now, and not a Labour Government. -- first

of all. The Tories have to do the same thing. We are against any

regional pay. We have never supported regional pay. We are also,

as the Government, against regional payments and, therefore, and we do

not think people in Wales should be paid less than people in the UK. Is

that the view of the Conservative Party? You were present at the

Choose Life project recently when it the leader of quack manager

County Council made her now well- known can -- comments that she

would not have any problem at all with her 9,000 workers if only they

worked hard. What did you do on that day to stand up for public

sector workers and what is sure party doing in coalition with a

leader who has so little respect for public sector workers?

Apposition is absolutely clear. We do not accept regional pay and we

do not accept regional benefits bought a regional camp on -- cap on

benefits. The Royal College of Nursing has warned that a move that

can see Tina's is doing the same job but with a wide disparity in

their pay and seriously short changed pig -- patients. All nurses

are filling a perspiring cost of living. D'you agree with me that

the UK Government's proposals would have a serious effect on nurse

morale and our ability to recruit nurses with the right skills and

experience to serve - Macs are people in Wales. Their proposals

would result in a nurse in Cardiff being paid less than one in Bristol.

It would mean a VAT and nurse end one hospital would be paid less

than in another. That is madness. In no sense will be as the

Government except that. We believe that when people work hard, they

deserve to be rewarded fairly. First Minister make a statement on

the future development of the format Ely paper mill site in the

Cardiff West constituency? We are going to invest �6 million to

facilitate a works the to develop housing scheme on the site. I was

grateful for a letter earlier this week from the enterprise minister

confirming that dedicated pensioner accommodation was being actively

considered for the loo paper mill site. The nearby estate in Cardiff

West have all -- well over 100 family houses currently occupied by

single pensioners. They find it difficult to heat and maintain his

properties. Would you agree that if we were to work carefully with that

community, there is an opportunity to provide a more suitable Op --

accommodation and to release a substantial number of family houses

akin to the supply of family accommodation. I do. I think it is

appropriate there -- important there is an appropriate mix of

housing on the site and in providing that next it will be

important to look at the need for it different provision for families

of different sizes. I have listened to you on various questions today.

When sites like this become redundant, there is a displacement

of workers that rely on the support of the state in some instances --

instances by the benefits system. You're a party in London clearly do

want a benefits cap, and yet you are saying here today that you are

Paul -- a pause that. Is that disjointed message coming from you

as First Minister? -- opposed that. I listen with astonishment at what

the Leader of the Opposition said. We have no problem at all

expressing a Welsh Labour view. If that is a different you then UK

labour, so be it. That is the nature of devolution. When will the

Leader of the Opposition say anything different at what he is

told by David Cameron? All he does his pad out the same lines as the

UK Government. When will you stand up for the people of Wales? Never.

All he does is to read out what ever he has been given by his

masters in London. May I remind members that this is a question

about Ely paper mill site. welcome the plans to renovate the

site in question, which has been left derelict for more than 10

years. I welcome the jobs and affordable housing that it will

provide. What I take issue with is the limit of his bus Government's

ambition and scope with regards to capital projects. The economy of

Wales is crying out for a large- scale capital programmes to be

brought forward in order to this to the struggling construction

industry. First Minister, can you tell us what is stopping you

Government from offering this lifeline? Do they need -- need to

read out once again all the things we have done in terms of boosting

the economy? All the millions of pounds that have been invested? The

different schemes that have been put in place? All designed to --

all designed to ensure we create jobs. We're is Plaid Cymru, they

have gone -- they had been nowhere in this debate. -- Weir is Plaid

Cymru? We will not allow Wales to be dragged down to the level and an

edition. You can see more proceedings on BBC

Wales democracy alive. Quarter the website on screen now.

As usual, to put over the bones of First Minister's questions our

correspondent is here. If we follow one of from what Carwyn Jones was

discussing their, he was as hacking Plaid Cymru for lack of ambition.

This was following on from a similar accusations aimed at 10,

that his Government is a complacent, do-nothing Government. -- beamed at

him. Who is telling the truth? is not for us to judge. We can see

how it is the central argument between the three opposition

parties. The opposition party see it as a Government that is low on

its feet, but has done very little since election, and that may partly

be because Assembly members themselves have at -- have not had

much to do because there has not been much legislation. But it

certainly has been essential battle. Within that, is a particular battle

between Plaid Cymru and Labour, because both those parties are

currently going through a leadership election and are trying

to position themselves as the party that will defend Wales against the

Lib Dem a Conservative Government in Westminster. That was central

and last year's Assembly election and that battle for that position

will continue. If we look at what the other leaders questioned the

First Minister on, there was top of enterprise zones. Claims that the

Government are not doing enough to bring them here to Wales. We're

going to hear some more from the Government later. Yes, and that

maybe in response to this attack. What about a man says is that they

have announced some themed enterprise zones -- enterprise

zones but we cannot tell you much more because there are still in

negotiations with their UK Government about certain aspects of

how they will work. We may get something on that today. We may get

the announcement of some additional ones. We may well see some

announcements about it the possibility of how many more or

enterprises there will be and how they will work. Is there an

argument that the whole of Wales could become one enterprise zone?

The Government would love that if they had the resources. The whole

point of enterprise zones is encouraging industries and

employers to go to that particular place. If you cut research from the

last time enterprise zones around, it looks like all they do is shift