:00:18. > :00:19.Good afternoon, welcome to the programme and our final
:00:20. > :00:22.programme before Easter covering of questions to the First Minister.
:00:23. > :00:24.Carwyn Jones is expecting to be asked about issues
:00:25. > :00:28.including child health, investment in roads and the work
:00:29. > :00:33.Don't forget we're @walespolitics on Twitter, where you can see
:00:34. > :00:39.Business in the Siambr has started, so let's cross to today's questions
:00:40. > :00:52.That brings us to the first item on the agenda, questions to the First
:00:53. > :00:53.Minister. Will the First Minister outline
:00:54. > :00:55.what steps the Welsh Government is taking to improve child
:00:56. > :01:06.health in Wales? We are committed to improving child
:01:07. > :01:09.health in Wales. Taking this forward included in commitment for a
:01:10. > :01:13.programme which was launched last October and that programme includes
:01:14. > :01:18.the range of preventative measures to help parents and children make
:01:19. > :01:22.healthy lifestyle choices. Recent report by the Chief Medical
:01:23. > :01:25.Officer for Wales and the Royal College of paediatrics and Child
:01:26. > :01:31.health had a very hard-hitting messages about the impact of poverty
:01:32. > :01:34.and inequality on child health. With the First Minister outline what
:01:35. > :01:38.steps the Welsh Government is taking to improve outcomes for children
:01:39. > :01:42.from poorer backgrounds in Wales. What assurances can you give that
:01:43. > :01:46.tackling the impact of poverty on child health will be a top priority
:01:47. > :01:51.for this government? It is a priority for others. In
:01:52. > :01:55.terms of closing the attainment gap, that gap has been closing. We've
:01:56. > :02:00.seen the grants under way that has worked the of so many young people.
:02:01. > :02:04.We see the foundation phase and the benefits that gives to children in
:02:05. > :02:10.terms of developing skills early that'll stand them in good stead for
:02:11. > :02:14.the future. We always look to see how we can improve outcomes for
:02:15. > :02:16.children in the future and that has been considered across government at
:02:17. > :02:25.the moment as part of our prosperity for all.
:02:26. > :02:37.May I also referred to the local is of paediatrics report. There were 39
:02:38. > :02:40.notes. Can you consider the recommendations as an agenda to
:02:41. > :02:46.tackle the issue of child and asked the less and health in Wales. Among
:02:47. > :02:53.the recommendations is the additional risk to which I's health
:02:54. > :02:58.when someone is smoked during pregnancy. They know the impact that
:02:59. > :03:02.has on a number of ways in the development and growth of a child.
:03:03. > :03:07.The risk of stillbirth and the risk of being premature and so on. That
:03:08. > :03:12.is based on the numbers that are smoked during pregnancy in England
:03:13. > :03:17.and Scotland but for Wales that data isn't as robust as it should be
:03:18. > :03:21.because we rely on self reporting from pregnant mothers to gather that
:03:22. > :03:27.data. Can I ask you what intention of the government has to look at the
:03:28. > :03:30.need to gather more robust data in that ADF because how can we know
:03:31. > :03:36.what these to be done unless we can be sure of the scale of the problem?
:03:37. > :03:41.We are developing a new child health plan at the moment and that's a look
:03:42. > :03:46.at the priorities that we should pursue and that the health service
:03:47. > :03:50.should follow. As part of that we must ensure that the data we have is
:03:51. > :03:58.robust and this will be considered during the development of that plan.
:03:59. > :04:03.One of the ways to improving child health is to ensure proper access to
:04:04. > :04:07.school nurses across Wales. When you congratulate the school nurse
:04:08. > :04:10.workforce we have in us, they do an excellent jobs in terms of
:04:11. > :04:17.immunisation and public health messages in schools. The unique
:04:18. > :04:23.Judith Jo Wood in your constituency, where they have a unique model of
:04:24. > :04:29.nursing. You will be aware that the school nursing service there is one
:04:30. > :04:34.which is employed by the school itself and one which gives advice on
:04:35. > :04:38.all range of subjects not just the pupils but to the staff and the
:04:39. > :04:41.families. It is a good example of good
:04:42. > :04:45.practice. I can almost see the school from where I live. We know
:04:46. > :04:53.the school nurses do an excellent job. We now our childhood
:04:54. > :04:58.immunisation rates are top of the benchmarks. In 2016-17 the flu
:04:59. > :05:08.immunisation programme was extended to include every child from aged two
:05:09. > :05:14.to seven. First Minister, the Royal College of
:05:15. > :05:17.paediatrics and Child health 2017 state of child health highlighted
:05:18. > :05:23.the need for safe places for children to play in order to tackle
:05:24. > :05:27.the quarter of entire population in Wales who start primary school
:05:28. > :05:31.obese. What is your government are doing to ensure that young people
:05:32. > :05:36.have access to open spaces and play areas and what actions are you
:05:37. > :05:38.taking to ensure that every new development provides safe areas for
:05:39. > :05:43.children to play? In new housing developments we would
:05:44. > :05:49.expect local authorities to provide those open areas. I have seen them
:05:50. > :05:53.across Wales. Where new houses are filled there is space for children
:05:54. > :05:59.to play, there are facilities for children to play on as well. Cycle
:06:00. > :06:06.paths are increasingly included as part of developments as they should
:06:07. > :06:10.be. Cycling has to be seen as something normal in terms of
:06:11. > :06:16.provision of cycling facilities in new developments in the future. That
:06:17. > :06:19.is certainly much in advance of the situation that previously existed
:06:20. > :06:23.where housing developers were built a no provision was made at all for
:06:24. > :06:25.open spaces or four children to play.
:06:26. > :06:27.Will the First Minister make a statement on cross-border health
:06:28. > :06:34.arrangements between England and Wales?
:06:35. > :06:43.The cross border protocol is in place to make sure patients have
:06:44. > :06:48.access to relevant services. First Minister, he will be aware of
:06:49. > :06:52.the ongoing future fits process on the future of emergency health care
:06:53. > :06:57.services for patients in Shropshire and mid Wales. It is important for
:06:58. > :07:02.my constituents that emergency services are based in Shrewsbury.
:07:03. > :07:05.The Welsh Government hasn't taken a public position in this regard. Can
:07:06. > :07:11.I ask what prevents you from taking a view on this matter and making
:07:12. > :07:15.strong representations to the NHS future programme board on behalf of
:07:16. > :07:20.mid Wales residents, we knew take a position?
:07:21. > :07:23.Geographically, Shrewsbury is closer so we prefer services to be based in
:07:24. > :07:31.shrews believe. But it is important to ensure services are safe and
:07:32. > :07:34.sustainable. I know with ophthalmology and urology be health
:07:35. > :07:41.board, Powys, has secured alternative provision through an
:07:42. > :07:46.organisation called practice that includes community outreach clinics.
:07:47. > :07:50.From our perspective we would like to see services that are accessed by
:07:51. > :07:55.worst people in England to be as close to those Welsh patients as
:07:56. > :07:59.possible. First Minister got today we learn
:08:00. > :08:03.that has been a 16% increase in the number of junior doctors choosing to
:08:04. > :08:07.come to or stay in Wales to train to become GPs. Across the Wells NHS
:08:08. > :08:13.waiting times are going down, average response time is now less
:08:14. > :08:16.than five minutes. The British Heart Foundation described as a world
:08:17. > :08:21.leader in cardiac rehabilitation, improvements in cancer performance
:08:22. > :08:24.is now 40% higher than five years ago. For the fourth successive month
:08:25. > :08:29.we're getting people home from hospital faster. In England, the
:08:30. > :08:35.proportion of patients being treated or discharged in time fell below 78%
:08:36. > :08:41.with nearly half of hospitals... You do need to come to a question. What
:08:42. > :08:45.message do you have for the people working in the NHS who have had to
:08:46. > :08:49.endure the Tories attempt to denigrate the Wells NHS over the
:08:50. > :09:00.last few years? We saw what the Tories did in 2015.
:09:01. > :09:05.Today, we see more GP training places are being filled and it shows
:09:06. > :09:09.that the Welsh NHS is seen as a good place to work and that good progress
:09:10. > :09:16.will continue in future. Thank you. At the same time as
:09:17. > :09:20.fulfilling a genuine need, cross-border health care corporation
:09:21. > :09:23.can serve two masters the shortage of staff in Wales that has been
:09:24. > :09:28.caused by the failure of government to train the Miss that clinicians.
:09:29. > :09:42.-- clinicians. If we look at the rural authority
:09:43. > :09:45.like poets it is inevitable that an authority like that will access
:09:46. > :09:49.specialist services from England. It makes sense for people who live in
:09:50. > :09:58.large areas of poets, there are specialist services in England that
:09:59. > :10:08.rely on poets poets patients. -- Powys patients. From my perspective,
:10:09. > :10:15.the last thing I want to see is any kind of walk down between England
:10:16. > :10:25.and Wales. 25,000 people across the border the other way to get A
:10:26. > :10:31.services in Wales. Questions from the party leaders.
:10:32. > :10:36.Andrew RT Davies. First Minister. Why did the Welsh Government decided
:10:37. > :10:42.last week to sack the chair of Sport Wales given upon his appointment
:10:43. > :10:48.they then incoming was told he was entering a toxic environment, that
:10:49. > :10:50.he was tasked with tackling a dysfunctional and insular
:10:51. > :10:57.organisation? Disorder government agree that sacking this chairman was
:10:58. > :11:00.the right thing to do? Sport Wales was facing great
:11:01. > :11:04.difficulties, that much is true. That is an independent review of
:11:05. > :11:07.Sport Wales which is continuing at this moment in time. It was quite
:11:08. > :11:11.clear that the relationship between the chair and the board and
:11:12. > :11:15.vice-chair had broken down and action had to be taken in order for
:11:16. > :11:20.the organisation be rebuilt. I am told the review has been
:11:21. > :11:25.concluded. On February the 13th of Welsh Government's Deputy permanent
:11:26. > :11:29.secretary dismissed all the allegations made against the then
:11:30. > :11:32.chair and offered him three options to move the situation forward. All
:11:33. > :11:37.of which saw him continue his involvement in some shape or form
:11:38. > :11:41.within Sport Wales. What happened in the very short intervening period
:11:42. > :11:44.which altered the situation and resulted in the sacking of Paul
:11:45. > :11:48.Thomas? As is known on the 14th of February
:11:49. > :11:53.Minister made a statement to AMs on the headline findings of the review.
:11:54. > :11:56.One of those findings was a clash of culture had developed between the
:11:57. > :11:59.chair and other board members. It is clear action needed to be taken in
:12:00. > :12:05.order for the board to become fully functional in the future.
:12:06. > :12:08.I have the letter here that is in the public domain so you can't
:12:09. > :12:13.comment on it but it was sent to James Price that itemises the
:12:14. > :12:19.allegations that are made against the chair and how those allegations
:12:20. > :12:23.were rebuked. There are some serious allegations levelled against the
:12:24. > :12:28.previous chair and also the current chief executive of Sport Wales.
:12:29. > :12:33.Sport Wales handles a considerable amount of public money and has a
:12:34. > :12:37.dream and to improve elite sports and participation sports around
:12:38. > :12:41.Wales. I would be interested to hear how the Welsh Government will take
:12:42. > :12:46.forward the allegations and investigate the allegations against
:12:47. > :12:51.the previous chair and also the current Chief Executive as the
:12:52. > :12:56.allegations warrant answers and above all to make sure that Sport
:12:57. > :13:01.Wales is able to get on with his day-to-day function. I do reiterate,
:13:02. > :13:06.the Welsh Government told the new chair, Paul Thomas come on taking up
:13:07. > :13:11.office that he was entering a toxic environment and he was tasked with
:13:12. > :13:16.tackling a dysfunctional and insular organisation. I do ask once again,
:13:17. > :13:21.this is the entire government agree with the dismissal of Paul Thomas?
:13:22. > :13:26.The answer to the question is, yes. The government has taken a view on
:13:27. > :13:33.this. The organisation remained dysfunctional and the relationship
:13:34. > :13:36.had broken down. In those circumstances no organisation could
:13:37. > :13:41.be expected to deliver what it should do in the future. We know all
:13:42. > :13:44.organisations need to adapt to changing circumstances and the
:13:45. > :13:49.independent review of Sport Wales operations is continuing. It was
:13:50. > :13:53.quite clear that Sport Wales could not continue with the dysfunction
:13:54. > :13:56.that remained in the organisation and the minister took the decision
:13:57. > :13:59.the best way forward is to take the action that was taken in order to
:14:00. > :14:11.make sure Sport Wales is effective in future.
:14:12. > :14:20.Clear the proposed job cuts at the University of Wales is of a concern.
:14:21. > :14:23.The University of Wales Trinity Saint David is also looking to
:14:24. > :14:29.downsize its workforce. I would like to place on record my support for
:14:30. > :14:34.the roles both of those institutions play in our society. I am concerned
:14:35. > :14:37.about the situation that those institutions are facing. And about
:14:38. > :14:43.the prospect of losing what are well-paid jobs. What discussions has
:14:44. > :14:48.your government held since the two sets of redundancies were proposed?
:14:49. > :14:52.Were the University strategies shared with you and I used at the
:14:53. > :14:56.side with the explanations they have given for these changes?
:14:57. > :15:01.I haven't seen any explanations for these changes. I am aware of the
:15:02. > :15:06.situation at those institutions. We expect a period of consultation and
:15:07. > :15:12.staff and unions are kept informed. One of the issues that concerns me
:15:13. > :15:14.is we are seeing a drop in applications particularly from
:15:15. > :15:21.students from abroad. We know applications through UCAS from EU
:15:22. > :15:26.countries decreased by 8% between 2016 and 2017. The fewer students
:15:27. > :15:46.there are, the less many delays, the less money that is pay staff. There
:15:47. > :15:51.are demographic challenges that you have alluded to but I don't think
:15:52. > :15:57.that should mean we should lose the positive economic amp -- impact that
:15:58. > :16:03.the institution generates. We recognise it plays a vital role in
:16:04. > :16:09.the West as well. The proposals for 4.6% reduction in staff at USW and
:16:10. > :16:15.the figure for Trinity Saint David is yet to become permanent. I have
:16:16. > :16:20.had contradictory information and stop many of the roles at risk would
:16:21. > :16:27.be managers, but from the trade union, I have been told that the
:16:28. > :16:34.roles could be cut and could include IT, library staff and student
:16:35. > :16:39.services. Do you think these job losses are normal housekeeping or
:16:40. > :16:46.are they a sign that these universities are facing a difficult
:16:47. > :16:51.future? I haven't seen anything on this scale since the 80s. It is not
:16:52. > :17:01.quite clear what sort of jobs would be lost. There is greater clarity
:17:02. > :17:13.for both institutions on what they are proposing. I am concerned as to
:17:14. > :17:21.whether the drop-off of applications is having an effect on the
:17:22. > :17:26.University's income. Both institutions are feeling the pinch
:17:27. > :17:31.from the decision taken to lift the University's admission cap in
:17:32. > :17:35.England. We know the situation around European and international
:17:36. > :17:39.student recruitment remains volatile. The responsibility to
:17:40. > :17:45.navigate through these difficult waters forced to us in Wales and it
:17:46. > :17:49.is you who has overall responsibility for protecting our
:17:50. > :17:53.higher education sector. What will the Welsh Government do to support
:17:54. > :17:58.our universities? How will you protect these jobs and make sure
:17:59. > :18:03.there is no impact in the longer term on courses? Do you intend to
:18:04. > :18:09.carry on as business as usual or will you stop -- step in and provide
:18:10. > :18:15.guidance so they can continue to do the good job that they do? We have
:18:16. > :18:20.provided more money but it is more than that. It is about making sure
:18:21. > :18:33.Wales is seen as a place that students want to come to. I feel
:18:34. > :18:39.strongly about this. We have finance schemes that bring in the top
:18:40. > :18:44.academics into Wales and they attract the best students as well.
:18:45. > :18:49.Some universities have invested heavily in capital programmes to
:18:50. > :18:53.improve and build new campuses which are hugely important in terms of
:18:54. > :19:01.attracting students. What we don't know at this moment in time is what
:19:02. > :19:05.effect Brexit will have on EU students applying to our
:19:06. > :19:10.universities and students from other countries such as India where there
:19:11. > :19:14.has been a significant drop-off of numbers and what effect that will
:19:15. > :19:26.have on sustainability of our universities. That is yet to be
:19:27. > :19:34.fully seen in terms of the impact. A certain amount of posturing takes
:19:35. > :19:38.place. The First Minister wants to play a direct role in these
:19:39. > :19:44.negotiations and there is a useful role he can play. He can write to
:19:45. > :19:49.Chancellor Merkel to say it is a mistake to disconnect the trade
:19:50. > :19:52.talks from other issues that have to be decided such as EU citizens,
:19:53. > :19:59.writes in this country and vice versa and also the question of the
:20:00. > :20:05.dowry that the EU wants the British taxpayer to stump up which may be as
:20:06. > :20:12.much as ?60 billion. We have paid them 500 billion in the last 40
:20:13. > :20:16.years. Secondly, there is the other development in relation to Spain and
:20:17. > :20:22.Gibraltar where it seems the EU is trying to use Gibraltar as a
:20:23. > :20:27.bargaining chip to get a better deal from us. Given that the question of
:20:28. > :20:32.sovereignty in Gibraltar has been decisively settled by a referendum
:20:33. > :20:36.when nearly every single resident of Gibraltar voted to retain its links
:20:37. > :20:41.with Britain, will he write to the Prime Minister of Spain and to the
:20:42. > :20:49.Chief Minister of Gibraltar supporting the Gibraltarians right
:20:50. > :20:55.to determination? Bevvies a lot of posturing. There are are issues that
:20:56. > :21:01.need to be worked through. They have to discuss it as soon as possible
:21:02. > :21:07.and the future of EU citizens in the UK and EU is resolved as quickly as
:21:08. > :21:10.possible. I do think there has been a significant amount of hysterical
:21:11. > :21:16.reporting on some of these issues. It was said the UK was using defence
:21:17. > :21:24.as a bargaining chip. It is also said that Spain is trying to use
:21:25. > :21:31.Gibraltar. Spain has been very quiet on the issue of Gibraltar. It has
:21:32. > :21:36.more to do with sovereignty but with Gibraltar's status as a tax haven
:21:37. > :21:41.and how will affect Spain in the future. I see nothing benevolent in
:21:42. > :21:48.this. There are tax havens that need to be resolved. It is clear the
:21:49. > :21:52.people of Gibraltar wished to remain British and that is what should
:21:53. > :21:57.happen. That was the decision of a referendum. They also voted to
:21:58. > :22:00.remain in the EU. When I met with the Minister of Gibraltar, he was
:22:01. > :22:06.clear the last thing they wanted was a closure of the border. It would be
:22:07. > :22:19.disastrous. It is in the interests of sprain -- Spain and Gibraltar
:22:20. > :22:23.that the border stays open. It is true in the interests of both
:22:24. > :22:28.countries for that border to remain open because 40% of the jobs and
:22:29. > :22:35.Gibraltar are filled by people who live in Spain. Given the rate of
:22:36. > :22:41.unemployment in Andalusia is 13% and in Gibraltar, 1%, it is in Spain's
:22:42. > :22:48.interest to respect the existing status of Gibraltar and its status
:22:49. > :22:55.as a tax haven also. I will repeat my question. Will he write to the
:22:56. > :23:00.Chief Minister of Gibraltar and the Prime Minister of Spain supporting
:23:01. > :23:04.the Gibraltarians's case in relation to sovereignty and to their freedom
:23:05. > :23:10.to set what tax rates they want in respect of the trade which is
:23:11. > :23:15.conducted within the territory of Gibraltar? The Prime Minister of
:23:16. > :23:18.Spain has laid claim to Gibraltar. The issue has come from the
:23:19. > :23:24.commission and not from Spain itself. It is a matter for the
:23:25. > :23:32.people of Gibraltar how they choose what relationships they choose to
:23:33. > :23:38.have. Nowhere should be forced to transfer to another country against
:23:39. > :23:42.the wishes of its population. It is true of any country. I have met with
:23:43. > :23:51.the Chief Minister of Gibraltar and will be meeting with him in the next
:23:52. > :23:55.few weeks. It is Gibraltar's concern about what Brexit might mean for
:23:56. > :24:00.their own trade situation and their border. That is what Gibraltar has
:24:01. > :24:08.been concerned about as we look forward to the next two years. The
:24:09. > :24:13.border is of critical importance to Gibraltar but it is not as though we
:24:14. > :24:19.have no bargaining chips in our hand in this respect. If it is the case
:24:20. > :24:23.that Spain has put its claim to Gibraltar's sovereignty on ice and
:24:24. > :24:34.is prepared to live with Gibraltar, that is well and good. The idea is
:24:35. > :24:38.fundamentally absurd. This is something which has been decided in
:24:39. > :24:46.the Council of ministers and in between the commission and the Prime
:24:47. > :24:51.Minister of Spain. It is vitally important for southern Spain as well
:24:52. > :24:56.as for Gibraltar that there should be no interference from Spain in the
:24:57. > :25:01.economic life of Gibraltar at all. I think given the First Minister was a
:25:02. > :25:06.strong supporter of Remain and Gibraltar and the people of
:25:07. > :25:10.Gibraltar were in favour of Remain, this is where he can play a
:25:11. > :25:15.significant role in trying to persuade the EU authorities of the
:25:16. > :25:23.good sense of coming to sensible agreements with Britain in the
:25:24. > :25:27.interest of us all. I am not responsible in terms of my devolved
:25:28. > :25:30.powers but we have a relationship with Gibraltar and have had meetings
:25:31. > :25:35.with the Chief Minister and continue to have meetings with the Chief
:25:36. > :25:43.Minister. Gibraltar is in a similar situation to Northern Ireland. It
:25:44. > :25:49.has its own arrangements in terms of tax but what is clear is there is no
:25:50. > :25:55.destabilisation of the area around the border on the Spanish side or
:25:56. > :25:56.Gibraltar is self. I expect that to be examined as part of
:25:57. > :26:05.renegotiations. Will the First Minister make
:26:06. > :26:17.a statement on investment in We have a projected spend of ?700
:26:18. > :26:25.million. That is in addition to funding reserves for the M4
:26:26. > :26:31.projects. The public inquiry into the M4and the root decided on by the
:26:32. > :26:35.Welsh Government is underway. The Welsh Government's original
:26:36. > :26:42.proposals for the M4 route included the motorway in the existing stretch
:26:43. > :26:46.with the possible creation of cycle and bus lanes and speed
:26:47. > :26:52.restrictions. Is this still the Welsh Government's intention and is
:26:53. > :26:55.it being considered considering it could happen negative impact on
:26:56. > :27:01.journey times from any of my constituents, many of whom would
:27:02. > :27:09.rely on the existing piece of road regardless all -- of whether or not
:27:10. > :27:15.the black fruit is chosen? The Welsh Government's evidence is public and
:27:16. > :27:17.open to examination. It is importantly inquiry considers
:27:18. > :27:26.evidence before making a recommendation. Anyone who regularly
:27:27. > :27:29.travels between North and south knows that it's not a pleasant
:27:30. > :27:34.experience to see the lease and fortunately the most practical way
:27:35. > :27:38.of travelling across Wales is by car. There have been no significant
:27:39. > :27:44.improvements to the main road linking the north and south of our
:27:45. > :27:50.country since the days of the Deputy First Minister. Work -- what work
:27:51. > :27:56.has been done to analyse which improvements are needed to the A470
:27:57. > :28:03.to improve this key transport route which links our nation? If the
:28:04. > :28:06.answer is none or not much, will you commit to carrying out this study
:28:07. > :28:13.and to cast any improvements required in fall? I would be willing
:28:14. > :28:19.to bet that we are talking about a relatively small sum compared with
:28:20. > :28:24.the investment intended with the M4? I would say it is not just the car
:28:25. > :28:28.that is available because the train service has improved and it has been
:28:29. > :28:34.improved for many years. When it started, you couldn't get from north
:28:35. > :28:43.to south and vice versa without changing at Shrewsbury. There is a
:28:44. > :28:50.serviced twice a day and as regards to the road, we have improvements in
:28:51. > :29:06.many areas. We have seen significant
:29:07. > :29:11.improvements on the road for many years now. But we do have a Pinch
:29:12. > :29:17.Point scheme in order to deal with some of the problems that still
:29:18. > :29:23.exist. Also for somebody like myself who comes down from the North Down
:29:24. > :29:29.to Bridgend, it was a great pleasure to see the all-important
:29:30. > :29:32.improvements at Glendower V. Part of the road was dangerous for many
:29:33. > :29:45.years but it has been improved now greatly.
:29:46. > :29:54.Many -- many people have a declining active travel over many years. When
:29:55. > :30:00.future roads are considered, will he make sure that interventions to
:30:01. > :30:03.encourage public transport and to build design into the road
:30:04. > :30:12.infrastructure are at the heart of considerations? I cannot stand here
:30:13. > :30:20.and preach. What I can say is the vision that was shown on what was
:30:21. > :30:25.the M4 and what is now the A48 in terms of the cycle route that
:30:26. > :30:29.exists, was visionary at the time. We have seen it rolled out. The
:30:30. > :30:35.Church Village bypass had the cycle path running along side it. We
:30:36. > :30:38.expect when you read screens are in place, there should be an
:30:39. > :30:43.improvement in the cycle routes also. -- road schemes. The driver --
:30:44. > :30:46.traveller should not feel they have to travel by car.
:30:47. > :30:48.Will the First Minister make a statement on
:30:49. > :30:59.We're committed to ensuring paediatric care delivered on the
:31:00. > :31:04.basis the best available advice. The First Minister will be aware of
:31:05. > :31:07.the limitations as Withybush hospital. Have a particular
:31:08. > :31:15.distressing constituency case which has arisen where a child was taken
:31:16. > :31:19.out of hours and 2016 in pain. That is diagnosed wrongly as a you're in
:31:20. > :31:29.infection and treatable by antibiotics, the next morning the
:31:30. > :31:32.child was taken in with suspected appendicitis bass appendicitis. The
:31:33. > :31:38.same child in January of this year was taken to the out of hours GP in
:31:39. > :31:41.Withybush with a fever and that was misdiagnosed as a virus. The title
:31:42. > :31:47.is driven the following morning by the parents took hungrily where the
:31:48. > :31:52.symptoms of Scarlets fever were diagnosed which was correct. I know
:31:53. > :31:56.that an individual case isn't necessarily representative of
:31:57. > :32:00.everything but given the out of hours limitations on paediatric care
:32:01. > :32:04.committee had been a paediatrics specialist in Withybush at the time
:32:05. > :32:07.of the child was taken to the hospital for the diagnosis, it is
:32:08. > :32:18.possible and likely that those areas that errors may not have been made.
:32:19. > :32:19.What needs to be bent to restore 24 hour paediatric services at
:32:20. > :32:30.Withybush. The situation the member this grade
:32:31. > :32:35.is a diagnosis is GP should be made. GP should be looking at that. You
:32:36. > :32:42.don't need a consultant to that. There are changes that have taken
:32:43. > :32:45.place at Withybush, that is true. They are temporary, they are not
:32:46. > :32:49.designed to be long-term. The health board is working hard to resolve the
:32:50. > :32:56.issue and to reinstate the 12 hour service as as soon as possible.
:32:57. > :33:00.First Minister, when children leave hospital particularly if they have a
:33:01. > :33:04.life limiting condition, they will need medical and social care at
:33:05. > :33:09.home. That'll affect their carers and other children in the household.
:33:10. > :33:13.In July last year the Minister said the government was refreshing the
:33:14. > :33:18.carers strategy at the end of last year and it is still being currently
:33:19. > :33:22.refreshed in both January and March. If your priorities are young carers
:33:23. > :33:27.and carers of respite, when can be seen what you mean by that?
:33:28. > :33:31.We want to make sure the strategy is right, that needs to take into
:33:32. > :33:37.account as many views as possible in order for the strategy to be robust.
:33:38. > :33:40.The strategy will be published as soon as possible once it is felt the
:33:41. > :33:42.strategy is one that can be presented to the people of Wales.
:33:43. > :33:44.Will the First Minister provide an update on the work
:33:45. > :33:54.It meant on four occasions and the delivery plan will be published in
:33:55. > :34:00.July addressing sleep and realities. Jobs and skills, improve public
:34:01. > :34:03.services and community and personal well-being. The plan is being shaped
:34:04. > :34:08.by feedback from the initial public engagement events.
:34:09. > :34:12.Depressed wages and high unemployment have been blighting the
:34:13. > :34:17.values for at least three decades. The obvious question is, what has
:34:18. > :34:23.taken you so long? Places like Treherbert are desperate for
:34:24. > :34:27.investment and the commute to Treforest or further afield from the
:34:28. > :34:33.Heads of the Valleys is a joke. There are two trains cancelled this
:34:34. > :34:37.morning. If the city region and the Valleys task force proved to be yet
:34:38. > :34:41.more false dawns for these communities, that is a risk real
:34:42. > :34:45.damage will be done to this institution and to devolution not
:34:46. > :34:50.just to your government and the Labour Party. How do you intend, as
:34:51. > :34:54.head of this government, to ensure actions match the rhetoric and real
:34:55. > :35:02.benefits are delivered to the Valleys? What will you do if another
:35:03. > :35:04.two or five or ten years go by with no noticeable improvements in these
:35:05. > :35:09.communities? Transport is key, that is why the
:35:10. > :35:15.Metro is important. It takes in an acceptably long time to travel from
:35:16. > :35:23.Treherbert down to Cardiff. The service isn't seen as reliable. From
:35:24. > :35:25.next year we will specify the franchise, we haven't had an
:35:26. > :35:30.opportunity to do that before. We'll be able to move forward with the
:35:31. > :35:37.Metro to have more convenient, comfortable and frequent services.
:35:38. > :35:45.And also to connect Rhondda Fach to make sure people's services I
:35:46. > :35:49.connected more frequently. That is one way of getting people to jobs in
:35:50. > :35:53.Cardiff but it isn't just about that, 11 me when people go through
:35:54. > :35:56.Cardiff Central every year. It is about making sure it is easy to go
:35:57. > :36:01.from Cardiff into the Valleys as well so investors don't see the
:36:02. > :36:06.Valleys as being physically distant from Cardiff. That is how they have
:36:07. > :36:09.been deceived. We want to make sure we have a chance to network that
:36:10. > :36:17.shows our Valley communities are able to attract more investment in
:36:18. > :36:35.the future. First Minister, the Valleys in the
:36:36. > :36:42.West don't get involved. Tourism is important in the Almond Valley. --
:36:43. > :36:46.Almond Valley. Will you ensure the task force will accept those skills
:36:47. > :36:58.are making sure there are local jobs for local people.
:36:59. > :37:06.It is something we intend to develop in future. It is important we don't
:37:07. > :37:10.forget that transport links are important wherever the particular
:37:11. > :37:14.valley might be and that means when they get control of the buses next
:37:15. > :37:21.year we will be able to look at how we can improve services in the Amman
:37:22. > :37:25.Valley. It is an opportunity for us to creating integrated transport
:37:26. > :37:31.system across Wales, not just in some parts of Wales to benefit
:37:32. > :37:36.people who live in the Valleys. I am told that there have been nine
:37:37. > :37:40.engagement events, five targeted events and for further formal
:37:41. > :37:46.engagement events planned and a cabinet secretary has intended each
:37:47. > :37:51.and every one of these engagement events. Can you confirm that is the
:37:52. > :38:00.case? How are these views being fed back in? If Cabinet secretaries and
:38:01. > :38:05.intending -- attending these events, I commend that as good practice.
:38:06. > :38:09.It is important that people see these events as worth coming to. If
:38:10. > :38:14.they have government ministers at those events I trust they will feel
:38:15. > :38:18.that is the case. It is right to say that in the initial events there was
:38:19. > :38:22.frustration people wanted to get off their chest and that is inevitable.
:38:23. > :38:26.Now what we're finding is people want to move on and see what can be
:38:27. > :38:32.done to improve their quality of life, whether it is skills, we know
:38:33. > :38:36.skills are important. Skills are the way to raise GDP. Unemployment is,
:38:37. > :38:43.on paper, less of an issue than it was. That is something we will focus
:38:44. > :38:44.on very sharply over the next five to ten years.
:38:45. > :38:46.What are the Welsh Government's priorities for improving public
:38:47. > :38:59.The national transport finance plan published in July of 2015 set out in
:39:00. > :39:04.investment for transport and infrastructure and services for 2015
:39:05. > :39:08.across all parts of Wales. The South Wales Metro gives us an
:39:09. > :39:11.opportunity to have a real improvement in public transport
:39:12. > :39:14.services in the Valleys and I welcome your answer last week about
:39:15. > :39:19.the importance of Inter Valley transport links. At the moment a
:39:20. > :39:23.return bus journey between Aberdare and Merthyr is ?7. A train journey
:39:24. > :39:28.between Aberdare and Cardiff is ?8. More than in the hourly national
:39:29. > :39:31.living wage. How will the worst governments make sure that there is
:39:32. > :39:34.for the Metro are set at an affordable level?
:39:35. > :39:38.Affordable fares are being considered as part of the
:39:39. > :39:43.procurements over the next rail services. We have the Metro
:39:44. > :39:48.contract. We want to make sure we see increased patronage especially
:39:49. > :39:53.off-peak times and we want to see discount to the cost of travel for
:39:54. > :39:56.people working irregular work patterns is that it is important the
:39:57. > :40:04.system is integrated and has a ticketing system that has smart
:40:05. > :40:09.ticketing. That is something that is crucial to the development of the
:40:10. > :40:17.Metro. In an announcement, one of the most
:40:18. > :40:25.significant improvements to any commuter in a day cases the opening
:40:26. > :40:28.of Ebbw Vale line, Graham David trains Wales revealed they are to
:40:29. > :40:36.double the capacity of commuter trains. -- Arriva trains Wales. The
:40:37. > :40:43.contracts mean it is trying to deal with rising passenger numbers with
:40:44. > :40:48.the same number of trains as they had in 2003. What discussion has the
:40:49. > :40:51.Welsh Government had with Arriva trains to find ways of increasing
:40:52. > :40:58.the number of trains to provide services between Cardiff -- Cardiff
:40:59. > :41:00.and the Valleys with Mac it is part of the franchise discussions that
:41:01. > :41:04.will take place next year. We want to make sure there are more
:41:05. > :41:07.comfortable trains on the network. The Welsh Government will have
:41:08. > :41:14.control over these issues and we intend to make sure the network is
:41:15. > :41:18.improved and developed. I just want to speak up for the
:41:19. > :41:23.Northern Valleys of the Ogmore constituency. We have four Valleys,
:41:24. > :41:26.many of which will benefit from better public transport in terms of
:41:27. > :41:33.faster buses, cheaper ticketing and joined up ticketing. What is the
:41:34. > :41:37.view of the First Minister on the importance of the Maesteg to
:41:38. > :41:44.Cheltenham, is it now is, main line or community line, in terms of the
:41:45. > :41:49.South Wales Metro? For many people in that Valley and adjoining
:41:50. > :41:53.Valleys, that is as integral to the Cardiff travel to work area as is
:41:54. > :41:57.Ebbw Vale or Merthyr or anywhere else. They believe they are part and
:41:58. > :42:04.parcel of the South West travel area. What role do they play?
:42:05. > :42:08.Hugely important. It was a great act of the Vale of Glamorgan to open
:42:09. > :42:13.that line. It is an hourly service with no Sunday service. That isn't
:42:14. > :42:20.something we should be satisfied with. It is important we look to
:42:21. > :42:29.increasing services on the line. And to see what can be done to rent a
:42:30. > :42:35.Sunday service. I know full well those trains are very, very well
:42:36. > :42:39.used. Finau Brent later in the evening than they used to I don't
:42:40. > :42:44.spend all my time looking at train timetables! I know the service is
:42:45. > :42:46.hugely important. What action is the Welsh Government
:42:47. > :42:54.taking to support access to high street banking services
:42:55. > :43:05.in town centres? These are matters for banks. It is a
:43:06. > :43:10.non-devolve as we have welcomed the announcement post offices will be
:43:11. > :43:14.able to provide services. If that is done properly it may well enhance
:43:15. > :43:20.the service to bank uses rather than reduce the service.
:43:21. > :43:24.NatWest has announced the closure across South Wales, we have heard
:43:25. > :43:34.closes on the constituents of Alun Davies, Lynne Neagle, Vikki Howells
:43:35. > :43:38.and in my constituency. NatWest did it without any consultation. I
:43:39. > :43:45.condemn that and I think it should have been better. I am concerned
:43:46. > :43:48.about the impact on elderly and vulnerable people, people who don't
:43:49. > :43:54.have access to Internet banking and the message that shows two High St
:43:55. > :44:00.where banks are closing branches closing and we are trying to
:44:01. > :44:04.regenerate the Northern Valleys. I think it is the wrong thing to do.
:44:05. > :44:13.You mentioned the post Office, to what extent can we ensure that
:44:14. > :44:16.people like the post office ensure those services are properly
:44:17. > :44:19.available? I have seen branch closures in my
:44:20. > :44:27.own constituency as well over the years. I know branches in Bridgend
:44:28. > :44:33.town centre itself patronage has dropped because the reasons for
:44:34. > :44:38.people going into the bank are fewer. Internet banking isn't a
:44:39. > :44:41.solution. There are people who can't or don't feel comfortable using
:44:42. > :44:46.electronic services and provision must be made for them. To my mind,
:44:47. > :44:49.if this is done properly people can access the same services through the
:44:50. > :44:55.post office that'll give them access to a wide range of branches. It will
:44:56. > :45:01.help with the sustainability of post offices because they know they
:45:02. > :45:05.receive commission. The post offices do provide a way of ensuring
:45:06. > :45:13.services continue for those people who use them. I have been told by
:45:14. > :45:18.banks they will be more closures but it is the trend they have seen. HSBC
:45:19. > :45:24.were the last to resist that trend. They kept those branches longer but
:45:25. > :45:28.it is absolutely crucial that services are not lost people and
:45:29. > :45:35.they are provided the alternative means of the post office.
:45:36. > :45:46.Thank you. A statement by Lloyds Bank this week said they intend to
:45:47. > :45:50.shrink the number of bank branches is concerning. Particularly in terms
:45:51. > :45:56.of job cuts. That is bound to lead to that. And also the illusion of
:45:57. > :46:04.face-to-face counter service available. We could also take a
:46:05. > :46:09.positive view of the announcement partially because what we seem to be
:46:10. > :46:12.seeing is the bank adapting in response to changes in customer
:46:13. > :46:17.habits rather than taking the step that has appeared far too easy for
:46:18. > :46:23.them in the past, to close branches of. Do you agree with me we should
:46:24. > :46:27.urge the banks to adapt rather than close and that is best for our high
:46:28. > :46:30.streets in Wales and we should seek to use all legislative and
:46:31. > :46:36.regulatory tools possible in order to urge them to do that?
:46:37. > :46:40.I don't believe it is possible to use legislation to change the
:46:41. > :46:45.situation but I do agree with him that banks should think of every
:46:46. > :46:52.alternative apart from closure. That should be the final option rather
:46:53. > :46:56.than the first option. Of course, if it isn't possible to lose the house
:46:57. > :47:01.to service then it is crucial that the banks deal with the post office
:47:02. > :47:06.and services can continue in the post office. But we would not wish
:47:07. > :47:12.to the closure of branches as a priority for the banks. The NatWest
:47:13. > :47:22.bank in the last 12 days has announced the closure of the
:47:23. > :47:27.Welshpool and Machynlleth branches. They have done so without any public
:47:28. > :47:31.consultation whatsoever. It public meeting was held last night in
:47:32. > :47:36.Welshpool to this regard in the post office was also discussed as a
:47:37. > :47:43.potential. Along the issues there, there are some about privacy and the
:47:44. > :47:48.capacity of post offices in some particular rural locations. I
:47:49. > :47:53.understand absolutely this is an issue ultimately for the bank, it is
:47:54. > :47:55.a commercial decision. I have raised and had a positive response from
:47:56. > :48:01.ministers when calling for the government to facilitate a
:48:02. > :48:04.discussion with the banks and the Financial Conduct Authority and
:48:05. > :48:08.other partners to explore a community bank model which would see
:48:09. > :48:13.banks shares services. I wonder whether this would be something he
:48:14. > :48:17.would be willing to explore? I would consider that. I will ask
:48:18. > :48:23.the Minister to write to the member with regard to the proposals he has
:48:24. > :48:26.made. What we don't want to see is a loss of banking services completely
:48:27. > :48:34.in communities. There is a danger that where banks particularly when
:48:35. > :48:40.branches are closed, decisions are made in the post office, they don't
:48:41. > :48:48.leave a cash machine. In Crickhowell, one of the branches
:48:49. > :48:52.closed but the ATM has remained. I will ask the Minister to write to
:48:53. > :48:54.the member in that regard particularly with regard to the
:48:55. > :48:55.suggestion he makes and community banking.
:48:56. > :49:00.Does the First Minister have any plans to make official visits
:49:01. > :49:06.to European countries in the near future?
:49:07. > :49:13.My most recent visits were to Brussels and Norway and a plan to
:49:14. > :49:18.visit Gibraltar. Does he have any plans to visit the
:49:19. > :49:22.European Investment Bank in Luxembourg to state Wales's case for
:49:23. > :49:25.future investments by the banking projects in Wales like Berlin to
:49:26. > :49:29.Hospital in my constituency and about their case for the UK to
:49:30. > :49:34.continue as the subscribing partner after we leave the EU?
:49:35. > :49:39.I can see a senior official level delegation visited the bank in
:49:40. > :49:45.October to maintain direct dial-up. The vice presidents of the EIB
:49:46. > :49:50.visited Cardiff. We strongly advocate the UK should remain a
:49:51. > :49:59.sponsoring partner of EIB, it doesn't cost anything. The UK
:50:00. > :50:07.contributions loan money. There is no reason why, in leaving the EU, we
:50:08. > :50:11.cannot remain part of the EIB structure. Thank you First Minister.
:50:12. > :50:13.The next item on the agenda is the business statement. I call on the
:50:14. > :50:15.leader of the house. There we are - that was
:50:16. > :50:17.First Minister's Questions. If you want more more coverage
:50:18. > :50:20.of the National Assembly you can go online to BBC Wales's Senedd Live
:50:21. > :50:25.page at bbc.co.uk/walespolitics. The Assembly is in
:50:26. > :50:28.recess from next week. We'll be back with the next
:50:29. > :50:31.First Minister's Questions in May. Don't forget for all the latest
:50:32. > :50:36.political news, watch Wales Today later today at 6.30pm on BBC1 Wales
:50:37. > :50:41.and Newyddion at 9.00pm on S4C. As for First Minister's Questions
:50:42. > :50:47.though, from all of us