0:00:20 > 0:00:25Good afternoon, welcome to the programme and coverage of questions
0:00:25 > 0:00:29to the First Minister. In a sombre mood today as the session began with
0:00:29 > 0:00:34tributes to the fallen and Carl Sargeant following his death last
0:00:34 > 0:00:39week. Then they moved on to the usual session, First Minister's
0:00:39 > 0:00:44Questions and you can follow the latest on our Twitter feed. Business
0:00:44 > 0:00:48in the chamber has been going on all afternoon, so let's take a look now
0:00:48 > 0:00:50at today's questions to the First Minister.
0:00:53 > 0:00:59TRANSLATION:I call the assembly to order and the item on our agenda is
0:00:59 > 0:01:02questions to the First Minister on the first question is Jalen
0:01:02 > 0:01:10Saunders. Full stop procurement policy is meeting the challenge of
0:01:10 > 0:01:19austerity. Creating sustainable jobs. As you are aware, the number
0:01:19 > 0:01:23of people waiting more than a year for surgery in Wales has increased
0:01:23 > 0:01:30this year by 400%. In order to get those last stand, health boards are
0:01:30 > 0:01:33forced to procure some services and health treatments outside of Wales.
0:01:33 > 0:01:38In my own health board, I'm aware of several referrals to the Priory
0:01:38 > 0:01:41clinic for those wishing to access vital mental health services and
0:01:41 > 0:01:48treatment. To reduce the waiting list for operations that cannot be
0:01:48 > 0:01:54performed in good time in Wales. Our NHS is now spending £255 million
0:01:54 > 0:01:59procuring that treatment for people outside of Wales in one year and the
0:01:59 > 0:02:06total number of patients is 46,000 patients. We have had their volition
0:02:06 > 0:02:11now -- devolution and we still procure much-needed health services
0:02:11 > 0:02:16outside of Wales. What steps will you be taking to ensure that our
0:02:16 > 0:02:20patients receive the treatment they require in good time, and most
0:02:20 > 0:02:24importantly in their own locality and more available than it is
0:02:24 > 0:02:32currently?I know you have expressed strong views that you agree with
0:02:32 > 0:02:35that people should not be prevented from accessing treatment from across
0:02:35 > 0:02:41the border and I think it's important that were treatment is
0:02:41 > 0:02:45available, people should seek access to it and not available or treatment
0:02:45 > 0:02:50in and some special treatment has to be accessed from bigger cities where
0:02:50 > 0:02:57we can provide treatment, we will. The original recommendation was to
0:02:57 > 0:03:01move the service out of Wales, I commissioned a review as a result of
0:03:01 > 0:03:05that review it was possible to move ahead with it. A recount, we will
0:03:05 > 0:03:12but we should not be afraid from procuring services outside of Wales.
0:03:12 > 0:03:16First Minister, how does the Welsh government time to use procurement
0:03:16 > 0:03:22levers in the context of providing task force delivery plan to create
0:03:22 > 0:03:26jobs and improve prosperity in the northern valleys.The valleys task
0:03:26 > 0:03:33force plan, we can exploit the job creation potential of the major
0:03:33 > 0:03:37infrastructure investments we have in Wales. The major road schemes,
0:03:37 > 0:03:47the M4, the ongoing a 465. We want to ensure that outcomes are closely
0:03:47 > 0:03:50monitored so that communities get the maximum benefit from the scheme
0:03:50 > 0:03:58is moving forward.What assessment has a First Minister made of the
0:03:58 > 0:04:03impact that the UK Government's austerity programme has had in
0:04:03 > 0:04:07Wales?With the £1 billion less to spend on services in Wales there is
0:04:07 > 0:04:12a great deal of pressure and be called on the UK Government to end
0:04:12 > 0:04:16this period of austerity and I hope that's a message that will be heard
0:04:16 > 0:04:21by the Chancellor Alex Cejka at the end of this month. -- the Chancellor
0:04:21 > 0:04:31of the Exchequer. Philip Hammond will deliver his budget.The Welsh
0:04:31 > 0:04:33and Scottish finance ministers jointly met with Treasury officials
0:04:33 > 0:04:39at the finance meeting in London. At that meeting, the Welsh and Scottish
0:04:39 > 0:04:43finance ministers delivered a clear and unambiguous call for the UK Tory
0:04:43 > 0:04:47government to set up plans to lift the public sector pay gap and
0:04:47 > 0:04:52reverse the 3.5 billion of unallocated cuts expenditure in
0:04:52 > 0:04:562019-20. What message does the First Minister have for the Chancellor of
0:04:56 > 0:04:59the Exchequer in advance of the budget for the need of the Tory
0:04:59 > 0:05:04government to abandon this ideological impact of austerity
0:05:04 > 0:05:10considering the Welsh government has seen its budget cut in 7% in real
0:05:10 > 0:05:16terms.It is important the £3.5 billion when allocated and we have
0:05:16 > 0:05:22to be in a position where we got there the extent of those cuts and
0:05:22 > 0:05:26it is hugely important for the economy to have more money to make
0:05:26 > 0:05:30sure there is more money for investment, to make sure jobs can be
0:05:30 > 0:05:32created and to enable the Welsh government and the Scottish
0:05:32 > 0:05:35Government to be able to invest in the infrastructure that Wales and
0:05:35 > 0:05:37Scotland need.
0:05:38 > 0:05:45He described your approach to the public finances on the 23rd of
0:05:45 > 0:05:49April.You were asked, the Shadow Chancellor John McDonald said 500
0:05:49 > 0:05:58billion more borrowing is needed to give the economy a boost -- Joe
0:06:02 > 0:06:06it is ten times the UK deficit, do you think that would be sensible and
0:06:06 > 0:06:11have a big impact?I believe it is hugely important that at that time
0:06:11 > 0:06:18and borrowing has not quite as cheap as it was but it is historically
0:06:18 > 0:06:21cheap and it is reasonable and responsible for governments to
0:06:21 > 0:06:29borrow money in order to pump that money into the economy. I adhere to
0:06:29 > 0:06:32that and I take the view that now is the time for government to borrow
0:06:32 > 0:06:36that money, inject money into the economy, create jobs we need and
0:06:36 > 0:06:43create the tax receipts that will pay them.If that is the case, I
0:06:43 > 0:06:46agree with you, First Minister because of the historic low interest
0:06:46 > 0:06:49rates that we are facing, notwithstanding the recent decision
0:06:49 > 0:06:53to have a slight increase, why are we borrowing at the full amount
0:06:53 > 0:07:01available to us? We're not in drawing dead in the next financial
0:07:01 > 0:07:06years, the four and 25 billion we could borrow would be 50 billion
0:07:06 > 0:07:09short of that, we could be doing more through the mutual investment
0:07:09 > 0:07:15models. Why are we not using the borrowing powers? We have to balance
0:07:15 > 0:07:23the power we have to borrow money against the need to pay it back.
0:07:23 > 0:07:28Moving ahead with a mutual investment model, we will explore
0:07:28 > 0:07:36all models of borrowing to deliver for the people of Wales.Questions
0:07:36 > 0:07:38from the party leaders.
0:07:41 > 0:07:45Recently we had allocations pipped by a former cabinet minister and a
0:07:45 > 0:07:49senior special adviser that in the last assembly government that you
0:07:49 > 0:07:53were First Minister two, there was bullying, mind games, favouritism,
0:07:53 > 0:07:57delivered personal undermining, delivered personal undermining and
0:07:57 > 0:08:02allowing that culture to flourish unchecked. Also, the special adviser
0:08:02 > 0:08:06cited the behaviour as being pure poison. Can I ask you to comment on
0:08:06 > 0:08:14those allegations. If that is correct, there is no way like that
0:08:14 > 0:08:20run a government.First of all I heard the allegations, I listened to
0:08:20 > 0:08:23what he had to say and heard what Steve Jones had to say and what I
0:08:23 > 0:08:28will say is this. The people wish to come forward to me and explain
0:08:28 > 0:08:34things to me of their experience, I am more than willing to do that and
0:08:34 > 0:08:38they can come to my office or the office of the Home Secretary.The
0:08:38 > 0:08:44allegations levelled very much at your office and the allegations, the
0:08:44 > 0:08:47people making the allegations state clearly that the reason these
0:08:47 > 0:08:52allegations with you on numerous locations and just give up. They
0:08:52 > 0:08:56believe they were not being taken seriously on these issues were not
0:08:56 > 0:09:01being addressed and indeed an assembly written question to my
0:09:01 > 0:09:05colleague Darren Millar who act the question in October 2014 that you
0:09:05 > 0:09:10actually responded to him by saying that no allegations had been made.
0:09:10 > 0:09:15How can people have confidence that if they do choose to raise these
0:09:15 > 0:09:19serious concerns with you that they will be taken seriously and in the
0:09:19 > 0:09:22absence of them having had confidence, would you commit to
0:09:22 > 0:09:27referring these allegations for investigation by an independent
0:09:27 > 0:09:32third party so that we can fully understand whether they are serious
0:09:32 > 0:09:37allegations that stack up and actually require they have no
0:09:37 > 0:09:42substance and they can be discarded. It is surely important that where
0:09:42 > 0:09:45people have concerns, they are able to express those concerns to a
0:09:45 > 0:09:50confidential process. I don't think doing it in the public domain is the
0:09:50 > 0:09:55way to do these things I invite people to come forward with any
0:09:55 > 0:09:59concerns they might have, contact my office or the permanent secretaries
0:09:59 > 0:10:03can make an assessment of what was supposed to be happening at that
0:10:03 > 0:10:09time.The credited at these allegations were raised with you at
0:10:09 > 0:10:13the time because both individuals, senior individuals within the
0:10:13 > 0:10:19government are categorical in their allegations that they said they were
0:10:19 > 0:10:24raised on numerous occasions with you, not just on one-off occasion is
0:10:24 > 0:10:28but numerous occasions with you. Indeed, they were levelled at your
0:10:28 > 0:10:33office. They were not levelled at the wider government but at the
0:10:33 > 0:10:37office of the First Minister. So can you confirm that not like the answer
0:10:37 > 0:10:41you gave Darren Millar back in 2014, that these allegations were raised
0:10:41 > 0:10:47with you and you did investigate them at that time. If they do stack
0:10:47 > 0:10:52up, will you commit to referring them to an independent person so
0:10:52 > 0:10:56they can be looked into it and actually these actions addressed?
0:10:56 > 0:11:00What I can say is that any issues brought to my attention at the time
0:11:00 > 0:11:03were dealt with, that is the answer that was given and that answer is
0:11:03 > 0:11:09correct in 2014. If there are other issues that people want to bring
0:11:09 > 0:11:16forward, they are welcomed to do so. When these issues or any issues
0:11:16 > 0:11:21raised with me dealt with? The answer is yes they were dealt with.
0:11:21 > 0:11:30Leader of the UK group.The First Minister would have seen on Wales
0:11:30 > 0:11:34online the piece about the subject of the Leader of the Opposition has
0:11:34 > 0:11:41raised and he said he was invited to a dinner in late 2014 with senior
0:11:41 > 0:11:44Welsh Labour figures and give him a disturbing insight into the aspect
0:11:44 > 0:11:46of the Welsh government he wasn't familiar with. He said he was
0:11:46 > 0:11:51shocked to hear of the poisonous atmosphere that existed at the heart
0:11:51 > 0:11:56of Welsh government, claims of instances of undermining and petty
0:11:56 > 0:11:58sniping and you had been told of these problems but did nothing about
0:11:58 > 0:12:03them. Does that not fly in the face of what you have just said to the
0:12:03 > 0:12:09opposition.I cannot possibly comment on issues I have no
0:12:09 > 0:12:13knowledge of. If others want to come forward and share what they have
0:12:13 > 0:12:18said unknown to me, with me, I will happily listen.I'm sure the First
0:12:18 > 0:12:24Minister will agree that out of the tragedy of the last few days, it is
0:12:24 > 0:12:32important we should learn lessons and arising out of Carl Sargeant's
0:12:32 > 0:12:39dismissal and the processes involved in that, the First Minister as a
0:12:39 > 0:12:42barrister experienced in criminal law and procedure said he acted by
0:12:42 > 0:12:49the book. Carl Sargeant was given no opportunity to answer to him the
0:12:49 > 0:12:53allegations which were made because no details were given. That flies in
0:12:53 > 0:12:57the face of one of the most fundamental principles of natural
0:12:57 > 0:13:01justice. To hear the other side of the argument before somebody is
0:13:01 > 0:13:06disadvantaged. Also, because the sacking was inevitably public and
0:13:06 > 0:13:13the fact that allegations were understated had been made of sexual
0:13:13 > 0:13:19impropriety, the publicity generated was inevitably prejudicial, which
0:13:19 > 0:13:23again imperils the presumption of innocence. If the First Minister
0:13:23 > 0:13:26acted by the book in this instance, does he know think that book should
0:13:26 > 0:13:30be thrown away and replaced by another which is informed by of
0:13:30 > 0:13:37fairness? Two things here, with the independent enquiry and with the
0:13:37 > 0:13:44inquest, the whole story is told that once. I'm not able to comment
0:13:44 > 0:13:47on various things that have been said. It's hugely important the
0:13:47 > 0:13:52whole story is there for all to see rather than in bits and pieces and
0:13:52 > 0:13:57that would be the right process. Secondly, do I think there are
0:13:57 > 0:14:01lessons for all parties to learn, I think it's important that we as
0:14:01 > 0:14:07political parties do that. Politics is a very difficult business. People
0:14:07 > 0:14:12can be sacked from cabinets, they can be put into cabinets, people can
0:14:12 > 0:14:18go to an election count and they can find themselves in a job and then
0:14:18 > 0:14:23find themselves out of a job. What cheering crowd applauds the fact
0:14:23 > 0:14:51they are not in a job. It is a brutal business.
0:14:51 > 0:14:55We have to make it less brutal than it actually is and that is something
0:14:55 > 0:15:00all parties may consider in the future. I have got personal
0:15:00 > 0:15:04experience of being sacked and I can confirm it is not pleasant, but
0:15:04 > 0:15:09nobody in politics can complain with any justice about being sacked
0:15:09 > 0:15:12because there is no justice in appointments in the first place. But
0:15:12 > 0:15:17the point about this, the sacking was associated with the allegations
0:15:17 > 0:15:22that were made. There is another way to First Minister could have dealt
0:15:22 > 0:15:25with this. Carl Sargeant was governed by the ministerial code of
0:15:25 > 0:15:30conduct as well and is expected to behave in a principal way that
0:15:30 > 0:15:34uphold the highest standards of propriety. Damian Green has been
0:15:34 > 0:15:40made subject of allegations of sexual impropriety and those are
0:15:40 > 0:15:44being investigated not by an internal party investigation, but by
0:15:44 > 0:15:49Sue Gray, the director-general of the civil service propriety and
0:15:49 > 0:15:53ethics team. By contrast the route which the First Minister chose was
0:15:53 > 0:16:01to send a special adviser to speak to the complainants. The solicitors
0:16:01 > 0:16:07now acting for Carl Sargeant's family say that to appoint a
0:16:07 > 0:16:12political activist in these circumstances with no specialist
0:16:12 > 0:16:14expertise in undertaking a disciplinary investigation actually
0:16:14 > 0:16:20prejudices the outcome of this process. It is as unfair to those
0:16:20 > 0:16:24making the allegations as to those who are subject to them. If there
0:16:24 > 0:16:28are uncertainties now about the credibility and the evidence that is
0:16:28 > 0:16:35caused by that because the solicitor for Carl Sargeant's party says there
0:16:35 > 0:16:41is a real case of the evidence being manipulated and this creates
0:16:41 > 0:16:44uncertainty about the credibility, it undermines the whole process for
0:16:44 > 0:16:49everybody involved in it. Would it not be better in the future for
0:16:49 > 0:16:54these things to be investigated independently of the political
0:16:54 > 0:17:00process itself.The real possibility of manipulation is a very serious
0:17:00 > 0:17:05suggestion and they would need strong evidence to back that up. The
0:17:05 > 0:17:10family have asked for an independent enquiry. I have ensured that steps
0:17:10 > 0:17:15are now going ahead for the independent enquiry to move forward.
0:17:15 > 0:17:21It would not be right for the family if I were to go into the detail of
0:17:21 > 0:17:25events because it would seem convenient to do so for me. I am not
0:17:25 > 0:17:30prepared to do that. Rather than allow the inquiry to take its full
0:17:30 > 0:17:35course and then for all events to be examined at that time. I realise
0:17:35 > 0:17:39that there are some who will think the evasive as a result of saying
0:17:39 > 0:17:45that, but it is hugely important that all of this is examined. I have
0:17:45 > 0:17:49said it is important, I understand it is important for the family and
0:17:49 > 0:17:52it is important this is examined and a full picture is presented at the
0:17:52 > 0:17:58right time and the family is owed that.First Minister, I have already
0:17:58 > 0:18:03set out my view over the weekend regarding the difficult situation
0:18:03 > 0:18:07facing the worst government and of course Welsh politics as a whole.
0:18:07 > 0:18:10Plaid Cymru is not prepared to make premature statements about anyone's
0:18:10 > 0:18:16political future. The issues have not yet been dealt with and the
0:18:16 > 0:18:19decisions that were made have not yet been examined. Would you believe
0:18:19 > 0:18:25that questions must be answered and we do believe that and we support
0:18:25 > 0:18:28and call for the independent enquiry. With the inquest having
0:18:28 > 0:18:34already begun can you confirm the timescale for the independent
0:18:34 > 0:18:39enquiry into the circumstances leading up to Carl Sargeant's death?
0:18:39 > 0:18:44The first thing to do is for a QC to be appointed. The terms of reference
0:18:44 > 0:18:50have to be set and that is entirely a matter for the QC who will act at
0:18:50 > 0:18:55an's length. That will proceed as quickly as possible. One of the
0:18:55 > 0:19:01comments of the coroner made yesterday was that he seemed to
0:19:01 > 0:19:04indicate that the enquiry would influence one of the outcomes of his
0:19:04 > 0:19:11inquest. We need to clarify what that means, whether he wants the
0:19:11 > 0:19:15enquiry to conclude before the inquest or not. That needs to be
0:19:15 > 0:19:20clarified. From my perspective I want to make sure that matters now
0:19:20 > 0:19:29proceed as swiftly as possible.I think we can take it that when
0:19:29 > 0:19:32information becomes available you will be prepared to share it with
0:19:32 > 0:19:36the Assembly as well. Following last week there are questions over how we
0:19:36 > 0:19:39can ensure that disclosures are dealt with in a way that is fair to
0:19:39 > 0:19:44everyone involved. I found myself asking how do we as political
0:19:44 > 0:19:48parties have the resources and the trained personnel to deal with
0:19:48 > 0:19:53allegations and to operate in a transparent way. Or could they be
0:19:53 > 0:19:58dealt with in a more independent way in the future? An independent and
0:19:58 > 0:20:03neutral authority might be more trusted, more impartial, more
0:20:03 > 0:20:09transparent, and political parties are able to be. The office of the
0:20:09 > 0:20:11standards Commissioner may not have the resources at present to deal
0:20:11 > 0:20:18with disclosures of harassment or other misconduct in full. There is
0:20:18 > 0:20:21also a question about sanctions, what kind of sanctions could be
0:20:21 > 0:20:26placed on people? Do you believe the office of standards Commissioner
0:20:26 > 0:20:30could be equipped with better resources and that they should also
0:20:30 > 0:20:37look at meaningful sanctions to deal with such disclosures?The leader of
0:20:37 > 0:20:41Plaid Cymru has raised an important point. That is how can we create a
0:20:41 > 0:20:50complaints process that is different, not weaker, but
0:20:50 > 0:20:54different? A complaints process that supports all parties. This is a
0:20:54 > 0:20:58small country and we are all small parties. There is great merit in
0:20:58 > 0:21:02exploring with the Presiding Officer had the standards Commissioner might
0:21:02 > 0:21:10change roles from the current role, that is a useful discussion to be
0:21:10 > 0:21:16had amongst the parties.We know that sexual harassment occurs
0:21:16 > 0:21:20elsewhere in politics and in other industries as well. In fact we can
0:21:20 > 0:21:27say that it exists in almost every walk of life. It remains a problem
0:21:27 > 0:21:30experienced by many people not exclusively but mainly women and it
0:21:30 > 0:21:34is an issue that needs to be tackled. One point we need to
0:21:34 > 0:21:40consider is how we can create the conditions and the culture for those
0:21:40 > 0:21:44who have experienced sexual harassment to be able to make
0:21:44 > 0:21:48disclosures safely in the future. Looking beyond the issue of
0:21:48 > 0:21:52disclosure and anonymity, can you tell us what steps need to be taken
0:21:52 > 0:21:57to ensure that attitudes change so that harassment can be prevented
0:21:57 > 0:22:02from taking place in the first place?I think that is a question
0:22:02 > 0:22:06for all parties working together to resolve. We have to create a system
0:22:06 > 0:22:13where complainants can come forward and we have to create a system that
0:22:13 > 0:22:19is fair, everybody understands that, and from my perspective I want to
0:22:19 > 0:22:23make sure that we can together as political parties that we can create
0:22:23 > 0:22:27the correct atmosphere and also to make sure of course that we are able
0:22:27 > 0:22:37to ensure that the processes, if they are new processes in the
0:22:37 > 0:22:41future, that they apply to all parties equally. There are many
0:22:41 > 0:22:47questions. The leader of Plaid Cymru is right to say there are bound to
0:22:47 > 0:22:54be questions, I accept that. Those are questions people want answers to
0:22:54 > 0:22:57and I accept that as well. As political parties we need to see
0:22:57 > 0:23:01whether there is a way of changing the way the Assembly deals with
0:23:01 > 0:23:05these issues and those are conversations we may need to have
0:23:05 > 0:23:12over the next few weeks.Question three. How will the Welsh Government
0:23:12 > 0:23:16deal with the anticipated spike in child poverty in Wales as a result
0:23:16 > 0:23:21of changes to welfare benefits?I am concerned about the significant
0:23:21 > 0:23:26projected increase driven by the UK Government's planned tax and benefit
0:23:26 > 0:23:30changes. Our strategy sets out objectives for tackling child
0:23:30 > 0:23:35poverty to ensure that every child gets the best start in life.The
0:23:35 > 0:23:40Institute for Fiscal Studies has calculated that in Wales we will see
0:23:40 > 0:23:47a spike of 7% as a rate of increase in child poverty which is
0:23:47 > 0:23:52statistically huge. We know that those on working age benefits are
0:23:52 > 0:23:57seeing a real cut in the amount of money they get to live off. What do
0:23:57 > 0:24:05you think can be done to mitigate the policies of the UK Government
0:24:05 > 0:24:11that obviously are not of our making? What can we in Wales do to
0:24:11 > 0:24:14try and mitigate the appalling impact that this is likely to have
0:24:14 > 0:24:19on children in this situation?Let me give my colleague a number of
0:24:19 > 0:24:26ways in which we are dealing with that issue. The early inflammation
0:24:26 > 0:24:29of the childcare offer is taking place in several authorities
0:24:29 > 0:24:39starting in September, December, and we have invested £38 million in the
0:24:39 > 0:24:47family 's first programme. We have allocated a budget of £400,000 for
0:24:47 > 0:24:552017-2018 for positive parenting. Those are just some examples of what
0:24:55 > 0:25:02we are doing in order to alleviate child poverty.We know that the
0:25:02 > 0:25:08figures show that children growing up in working households do better
0:25:08 > 0:25:13in school and in adult life. How would you respond to concerns
0:25:13 > 0:25:17expressed since the recent publication of the Office of
0:25:17 > 0:25:22National Statistics figures for 2016 showing the number of children
0:25:22 > 0:25:25living in long-term workless households filled by 92,000 across
0:25:25 > 0:25:29the UK last year and went down in Scotland and Northern Ireland and
0:25:29 > 0:25:34England and it is down by half a million since 2010, but increased in
0:25:34 > 0:25:40Wales?First of all, if we look at our figures historically we have
0:25:40 > 0:25:44seen an increase in the rate of unemployment in Wales and the
0:25:44 > 0:25:50decrease in regular employment. But it is not sufficient simply to look
0:25:50 > 0:25:55at whether people are in work or not. We have to look beyond that and
0:25:55 > 0:26:00understand what people are burning. We used to say if people found the
0:26:00 > 0:26:05job, it was a route out of poverty, yet we know the in work poverty is
0:26:05 > 0:26:10one of the scourges we have. We have heard of stories of nurses using
0:26:10 > 0:26:14food banks. That is why it is important for there to be a
0:26:14 > 0:26:18loosening of the bonds of austerity by the UK Government, for the
0:26:18 > 0:26:23devolved governments to make sure that we can improve the income of
0:26:23 > 0:26:26our public sector workers, many of whom have struggled in terms of
0:26:26 > 0:26:37their pay rises for some years. Question four.Will you make a
0:26:37 > 0:26:41statement on the future of enterprise zones in Wales?It has a
0:26:41 > 0:26:45strong track record with 10,000 jobs having been supported across the
0:26:45 > 0:26:55eight zones in Wales.Thank you for that answer. In July the statement
0:26:55 > 0:27:06was made that stated the enterprise zones continued to benefit Wales.
0:27:06 > 0:27:10The strategy for Port Tolbert is based around established employment
0:27:10 > 0:27:14size in the area which has significant capacity for supporting
0:27:14 > 0:27:16further business investment and it says the Welsh Government is
0:27:16 > 0:27:21continuing to build on a world-class, advanced money
0:27:21 > 0:27:27factoring skills in that area. I fully support that ambition. I want
0:27:27 > 0:27:32to see it come to fruition particularly as the long-term future
0:27:32 > 0:27:40of the steelworks is still unclear. Press Minister, the enterprise zone
0:27:40 > 0:27:48in Port Talbot actually includes industrial Park which has a covenant
0:27:48 > 0:27:53which says it must be used for industrial purposes. Can you listen
0:27:53 > 0:27:59to the voices of my constituents and reject the quotas by the Ministry of
0:27:59 > 0:28:06Justice to not use that land, but to use all the land to support business
0:28:06 > 0:28:15investment and deliver economic growth and job creation.My friend
0:28:15 > 0:28:21has been a staunch advocate for views and those of many in his
0:28:21 > 0:28:26constituency. As a government we have written a letter to the
0:28:26 > 0:28:30Ministry of Justice. We have sought clarification in terms of the number
0:28:30 > 0:28:35of questions we have asked. I have not yet seen a response. The
0:28:35 > 0:28:38response to that letter will inform our further consideration in terms
0:28:38 > 0:28:46of how the land might be used.First Minister, since the creation of the
0:28:46 > 0:28:52Ebbw Vale enterprise zone 94.6 million has been spent to create,
0:28:52 > 0:28:58safeguard or assist just 390 jobs. That is figures published by the
0:28:58 > 0:29:02Welsh Government. That is a cost of around a quarter of a million per
0:29:02 > 0:29:10job. Given that the key plank of enterprise zones is job creation,
0:29:10 > 0:29:15these figures indicate to me there is a huge level of investment which
0:29:15 > 0:29:21has not been good value for money. Can Wales afford another five years
0:29:21 > 0:29:27of investment on this kind of scale for the kind of return that I have
0:29:27 > 0:29:33highlighted?What I will say to the member is that enterprise zones take
0:29:33 > 0:29:41time to come to fruition. The huge amount of investment is going to the
0:29:41 > 0:29:53ever Vale area. He will know we are investing a substantial sum in
0:29:53 > 0:29:59developing a technology park in the area. Enterprise zones have to be
0:29:59 > 0:30:04judged on the long term rather than the short-term.
0:30:04 > 0:30:08Thank you very much.
0:30:12 > 0:30:16Local people do not want a super prison on the site and as the
0:30:16 > 0:30:21landowner, the Welsh goal can prevent it. What are you doing to
0:30:21 > 0:30:28stop selling this land to the Ministry of Justice?We have written
0:30:28 > 0:30:31to the Ministry of Justice with questions, we have not seen the
0:30:31 > 0:30:36response. The response to those questions will form part of our
0:30:36 > 0:30:40future consideration. They revolve around what the plans are for the
0:30:40 > 0:30:47site in terms of the type of prison, they revolve around what the future
0:30:47 > 0:30:51is for Swansea and Cardiff prisons and we are not in a position to
0:30:51 > 0:30:54proceed further with this until we get answers to those questions on
0:30:54 > 0:31:02those answers must be satisfactory. First Minister, enterprise zones
0:31:02 > 0:31:06should be a fantastic way of regenerating some of Wales's most
0:31:06 > 0:31:10deprived regions but the reality is somewhat different. Some of the
0:31:10 > 0:31:15zones are working well. Attracting private investment and rejuvenating
0:31:15 > 0:31:19the local economy. Others are simply operating because the government
0:31:19 > 0:31:24support a handful of jobs. If the enterprise zones were truly
0:31:24 > 0:31:28successful, there wouldn't be the land available to build a prison in
0:31:28 > 0:31:32one of those zones. What does the government planned to do differently
0:31:32 > 0:31:37to ensure that all enterprise zones attract private sector and
0:31:37 > 0:31:40infrastructure investment into their respective regions and create new
0:31:40 > 0:31:48jobs for local people.Some will agree more than others. There will
0:31:48 > 0:31:52be some parts of Wales because of their locations, they will find it
0:31:52 > 0:31:59easier than other enterprise zones. It is there to overcome some of
0:31:59 > 0:32:02those difficulties. We must judge them on what they do in the longer
0:32:02 > 0:32:08term because as much investment is put into that and it is often put
0:32:08 > 0:32:13into training and it is through the development of that investment that
0:32:13 > 0:32:24we see jobs being created long-term. Gareth Bennett.What steps is the
0:32:24 > 0:32:27Welsh government taking to alleviate the increasing congestion on
0:32:27 > 0:32:35motorways and trunk roads in South Wales Central?We follow advice from
0:32:35 > 0:32:41party leaders, reducing immigration would be the key to do this! We'll
0:32:41 > 0:32:49continue to work for transport of Wales to deliver transport system in
0:32:49 > 0:32:57Wales, high-quality, safe and affordable transport for all.I
0:32:57 > 0:33:01agree that integrated transport is crucial. One aspect I wanted to
0:33:01 > 0:33:07touch on was a information. Many motorists have observed that the
0:33:07 > 0:33:11major roads in England there is often better information available
0:33:11 > 0:33:16on digital road signs than in Wales. Estimate travel times to particular
0:33:16 > 0:33:19junctions which can warn motorists of imminent congestion. Would you
0:33:19 > 0:33:23agree that more digital information could be made available and can the
0:33:23 > 0:33:27Welsh government help to provide this?I am aware of the signs we see
0:33:27 > 0:33:33in England but I have to say they are not accurate often. I have time
0:33:33 > 0:33:36to myself so when they see those signs, they cannot provide for what
0:33:36 > 0:33:41is ahead what might happen, a number of things can interfere with the
0:33:41 > 0:33:45flow of traffic. That said, of course we continue to keep under
0:33:45 > 0:33:49review was further information might be available for drivers in order
0:33:49 > 0:33:54for their journeys to be made easier.First Minister, flexible
0:33:54 > 0:33:58working patterns could provide one key to alleviating pressure on our
0:33:58 > 0:34:04motorways and trunk roads in key terms. What worked as the government
0:34:04 > 0:34:08done to speak to employers about the benefits of flexible working?This
0:34:08 > 0:34:13is something we want to ensure it is very much part of working in the
0:34:13 > 0:34:17future. In terms of flexible working, we have funded a travel
0:34:17 > 0:34:22plan and they have worked with employers across Wales to encourage
0:34:22 > 0:34:24sustainable travel. Travel planner coordinators work from organisations
0:34:24 > 0:34:30and local sectors. Anchored companies and regionally important
0:34:30 > 0:34:35companies across Wales and the provide advice and support them and
0:34:35 > 0:34:42measures that could be adopted and support sustainable travel and as
0:34:42 > 0:34:50part of those measures, advice was given to promote active travel, car
0:34:50 > 0:34:56sharing, video conferencing, home-working.First Minister, I
0:34:56 > 0:35:04would welcome the investment on areas such as the 4119, but no
0:35:04 > 0:35:08matter how much we invest in the roads, they are becoming congested
0:35:08 > 0:35:15and Lewis in the area in terms of traffic and it only real solution
0:35:15 > 0:35:24has got to be the extension of the Metro that has been outlined in
0:35:24 > 0:35:28respect to that. Can you confirm those plans still feature as part of
0:35:28 > 0:35:33the government's metro plans in order to resolve that, particularly
0:35:33 > 0:35:37bearing in mind the extent of housing development in those areas.
0:35:37 > 0:35:41It was the Metro's designed to be expandable, of course the initial
0:35:41 > 0:35:46phase of the metal, we looked at what was in place. I don't know if
0:35:46 > 0:35:52it is entirely intact between the mainline. Level crossing a
0:35:52 > 0:36:01stillbirth. It is -- the level crossing is still there. How can we
0:36:01 > 0:36:03look at bringing services to areas where previously there were not
0:36:03 > 0:36:09services. What services are appropriate for communities as they
0:36:09 > 0:36:13grow, how can we create a sustainable travel we want to see by
0:36:13 > 0:36:19putting in place good value and frequent alternatives and as far as
0:36:19 > 0:36:25this is concerned looking at that in the longer term will be part of
0:36:25 > 0:36:38those plans. Will Minister make a statement to attract GPs do not
0:36:38 > 0:36:49Wales?The government is committed to increase GPs in all parts of
0:36:49 > 0:37:00Wales, including Northern Wales. One of the practical difficulties
0:37:00 > 0:37:04causing problems is the situation in terms of the cost of indemnity
0:37:04 > 0:37:09insurance for doctors, a cost of £10,000. Clearly I wouldn't expect
0:37:09 > 0:37:14them not to have that cover but it can be a very practical problem in
0:37:14 > 0:37:19trying to attract retired doctors act to assist in certain areas. The
0:37:19 > 0:37:23BMA raised this regularly with assembly members and they have
0:37:23 > 0:37:27received clear messages to that end. Can I see what the government will
0:37:27 > 0:37:35do to try to tackle that practical problem?This is an important point
0:37:35 > 0:37:39and I would imagine there had been an increase in the cost of indemnity
0:37:39 > 0:37:45insurance, may I write to the member to give him the details that would
0:37:45 > 0:37:54come as regards this?And as regards the British Medical Association.
0:37:54 > 0:37:59Many of my own constituents have faced receiving letters to the post
0:37:59 > 0:38:03regarding their own local surgeries, particularly in the Colwyn Bay area
0:38:03 > 0:38:07being vulnerable to changes and some of the GPs have handed back their
0:38:07 > 0:38:10contracts to the local health boards, another Welsh government is
0:38:10 > 0:38:14working with health boards to try to overcome some of these challenges in
0:38:14 > 0:38:17the short term but do you accept that one of the reasons we are
0:38:17 > 0:38:20facing this shortage of GPs is because of successive Welsh
0:38:20 > 0:38:25government is having failed to train sufficient numbers in the past and
0:38:25 > 0:38:30are you now confident that you have the systems in place to be able to
0:38:30 > 0:38:35attract the number of GPs that Wales will need going forward?Yes I am.
0:38:35 > 0:38:39The Cabinet Secretary will make a statement shortly to members on the
0:38:39 > 0:38:44definitive numbers recruited to the GP training scheme. This will show
0:38:44 > 0:38:48positive for the recruitment better than the initial rate of 91% which
0:38:48 > 0:38:54has been reported in this chamber. That will represent significant
0:38:54 > 0:39:01improvement in the Welsh GP training numbers.Will the First Minister
0:39:01 > 0:39:09make a statement on preparatory work on the franchise?The further
0:39:09 > 0:39:12statement issued by the Cabinet Secretary for economy and transport
0:39:12 > 0:39:19on the 6th of November regarding the service procurement.I think the
0:39:19 > 0:39:23First Minister and I have read that statement. It was released as a
0:39:23 > 0:39:29result of the fact that the trains had withdrawn from the franchise
0:39:29 > 0:39:30process.
0:39:33 > 0:39:36Reading between the lines and reports around that, then it turns
0:39:36 > 0:39:42around the fact that a reader had decided there was no commercial
0:39:42 > 0:39:48value in that franchise, including the Metro and building another Metro
0:39:48 > 0:39:55and it reflects the fact we were still reliant on a subsidy from
0:39:55 > 0:39:57Westminster and responsibility being transferred from Westminster because
0:39:57 > 0:40:02this process hasn't been completed by your government. What can you do
0:40:02 > 0:40:08us today -- tell us today which can give passengers assurances and the
0:40:08 > 0:40:13staff on these trains that those jobs will remain in place and the
0:40:13 > 0:40:17services will remain in place and there will not be any problems in
0:40:17 > 0:40:25providing this franchise as you have pledged to? First of all, there are
0:40:25 > 0:40:28issues to be discussed with the Department for Transport in London.
0:40:28 > 0:40:35There is no dig problem as far as I know as regards preceding with the
0:40:35 > 0:40:39process, it is not unusual for a company to withdraw and we know that
0:40:39 > 0:40:44there are companies that are still part of that process. May I say that
0:40:44 > 0:40:49what we would have preferred to see is that a situation where the
0:40:49 > 0:40:52finance and the funding would have been transferred and that we could
0:40:52 > 0:40:59then direct Network Rail that hasn't been given to us and would be given
0:40:59 > 0:41:08an opportunity to run the franchise. That is something which has been
0:41:08 > 0:41:11made available to Scotland but not gifted to us and we are completely
0:41:11 > 0:41:18angry about that. There is no reason know why this should not proceed and
0:41:18 > 0:41:21of course it is something we want to ensure to see a better service for
0:41:21 > 0:41:26the people of Wales.You're quite right to say the decision of them to
0:41:26 > 0:41:32drop out of the bidding process. It does happen, we shouldn't get too
0:41:32 > 0:41:36worked up about it deciding that it's not for them. At what point did
0:41:36 > 0:41:41you know that they were dropping out, was sudden, did they give
0:41:41 > 0:41:44advance warning and I'm wondering, did the Welsh government receive any
0:41:44 > 0:41:51feedback from the company and the staff involved that would be
0:41:51 > 0:41:53beneficial now moving forward with the rest of the process because
0:41:53 > 0:41:57clearly, if other franchise businesses were to drop out, we
0:41:57 > 0:42:05could end up in a tricky situation down the line so to speak.The exact
0:42:05 > 0:42:18date that a they withdrew... That is not unusual and they have done this
0:42:18 > 0:42:27for their own commercial reasons. There are some issues I cannot
0:42:27 > 0:42:37disclose for commercial reasons.A few weeks ago it became apparent
0:42:37 > 0:42:44that new trains for the great Western Railway service won't
0:42:44 > 0:42:47include any bilingual signage or announcements and as expected there
0:42:47 > 0:42:49were a number of complaint is made to the company by passengers
0:42:49 > 0:42:52following this news, condemning the decision taken, including by the
0:42:52 > 0:42:58former Welsh language minister. The company's excuse was that these
0:42:58 > 0:43:03trains served areas of England as well as Wales and therefore using
0:43:03 > 0:43:07bilingual signage and making bilingual announcements would not be
0:43:07 > 0:43:11appropriate. Some passengers in England have expressed support to
0:43:11 > 0:43:17having Welsh services talking about their experiences of travelling from
0:43:17 > 0:43:21one country to another and in Europe pursuing the language change
0:43:21 > 0:43:25regularly. Ensuring bilingual signage and announcements on trains
0:43:25 > 0:43:28as a matter of fundamental respect for the Welsh language is, so can
0:43:28 > 0:43:33you commit to ensuring that language standards will be introduced by the
0:43:33 > 0:43:38government in the transport sector, standards that have been on the
0:43:38 > 0:43:44government's desk for almost one year and therefore companies such as
0:43:44 > 0:43:47GW are would be able to provide services and the respect that Welsh
0:43:47 > 0:43:53speakers deserve. I ask the Minister therefore to write to you about this
0:43:53 > 0:44:00issue.They are able to offer the service now, of course.It seems
0:44:00 > 0:44:07like the story has been told in the way that suggests it is not possible
0:44:07 > 0:44:11at present, but it would be possible in my view because the train company
0:44:11 > 0:44:15have used the Welsh language on their trains, although the trains
0:44:15 > 0:44:19travel through England, they don't physically change the language on
0:44:19 > 0:44:23the signage as they travel through England, so there's no reason
0:44:23 > 0:44:27whatsoever why the great Western Railway shouldn't do both Welsh and
0:44:27 > 0:44:32English and its writers or people would respect the that both
0:44:32 > 0:44:39languages are used and the people of England would be better to see at!
0:44:39 > 0:44:42Will the First Minister confirmed that his policy of the Welsh
0:44:42 > 0:44:48government not to allow any new opencast development in Wales?We
0:44:48 > 0:44:51will be consulting early next year on amendments to plan policy Wales
0:44:51 > 0:44:58to prevent that.I thank the First Minister for that confirmation. We
0:44:58 > 0:45:02have seen a number of instances where companies involved in the
0:45:02 > 0:45:08opencast industry have failed to honour their obligation to reinstate
0:45:08 > 0:45:12sites, either partially or wholly once activities have ceased. It's
0:45:12 > 0:45:19incredible that the company previously owned has been allowed to
0:45:19 > 0:45:27rescind its guarantee of some £50 million. The council Institute in
0:45:27 > 0:45:32its place, an escrow account which the owners which will be expected to
0:45:32 > 0:45:38pay into, swapping and guaranteed sum of money to one dependent on the
0:45:38 > 0:45:42efficacy of the new company. Is the First Minister able to shed any
0:45:42 > 0:45:48light on what seems to be an extraordinary decision.The council
0:45:48 > 0:45:53have the responsibility for the enforcement of planning. I have seen
0:45:53 > 0:46:01instances elsewhere. The mining has finished and the site had not been
0:46:01 > 0:46:07restored because it is an issue with the bonds that the companies were
0:46:07 > 0:46:12required to produce in the days when call was privatised, there was a
0:46:12 > 0:46:16limit placed on the bonds they required and it was not sufficient
0:46:16 > 0:46:23to cover the restoration of the land. That is an historic problem.
0:46:23 > 0:46:27It comes to explain, I'm not aware of the circumstances on why they
0:46:27 > 0:46:42have taken the decision that they have?
0:46:42 > 0:46:45Will the Prime Minister make a statement on the proposed white
0:46:45 > 0:46:52paper language Bill.The consultation closed on the 31st of
0:46:52 > 0:46:54October and we are currently analysing the responses and will
0:46:54 > 0:47:00make a further statement in due course.Many organisations have been
0:47:00 > 0:47:05in touch with me in order to express concerns about your intention to
0:47:05 > 0:47:10abolish the role of the Welsh language Commissioner and to weaken
0:47:10 > 0:47:16the fundamental rights of Welsh speakers. Unfortunately your
0:47:16 > 0:47:19government has accused the language organisations of being too
0:47:19 > 0:47:30conservative. Groups are doing a great deal to assist the language.
0:47:30 > 0:47:34Given the concerns expressed by many organisations and specialists in
0:47:34 > 0:47:40this area is it now time for you to reconsider the decision to abolish
0:47:40 > 0:47:49the role of Welsh language Commissioner?Well, we have
0:47:49 > 0:47:53naturally consulted on the bill itself and we will now analyse the
0:47:53 > 0:47:57responses we have received. It is rightly important that they are
0:47:57 > 0:48:01considered in detail and became of the government is to improve the
0:48:01 > 0:48:07situation and reinforce and strengthen the rights available to
0:48:07 > 0:48:10speakers to ensure that we can attain the target of a million Welch
0:48:10 > 0:48:17speakers by 2050 and so what we are now doing is considering the views
0:48:17 > 0:48:21of organisations and other bodies to see whether we can understand their
0:48:21 > 0:48:30concerns.I wonder if you can tell us whether on examining the case for
0:48:30 > 0:48:34the new body to replace the language Commissioner the government has
0:48:34 > 0:48:42considered how carefully for any staff might be affected and whether
0:48:42 > 0:48:46there will be transfers of staff. Can you tell me whether officials
0:48:46 > 0:48:55have already scoped the lengthy costs of TUPE and the costs
0:48:55 > 0:49:05associated with managing individuals' data protection?
0:49:05 > 0:49:11Can I give assurances that when it is change we want to make sure and
0:49:11 > 0:49:21we are in the situation where people... We want to get comfort to
0:49:21 > 0:49:26people as soon as possible. Any regulatory assessment of the bill
0:49:26 > 0:49:29will follow process and members will have the opportunity to scrutinise
0:49:29 > 0:49:40them. Our new political programme is on tomorrow, BBC Wales at 1030. For
0:49:40 > 0:49:47more coverage, you can go online to BBC Wales news page, the address for
0:49:47 > 0:49:51that. From all of us on the programme, thanks for joining us,
0:49:51 > 0:49:53goodbye.