:00:21. > :00:25.Good afternoon. Welcome to the programme. Our weekly coverage of
:00:26. > :00:30.questions to the First Minister. There is a change to the usual
:00:31. > :00:33.format today, Carwyn Jones is in the United States so the Leader of the
:00:34. > :00:38.House is standing in. She is expected to be asked questions on a
:00:39. > :00:41.range of issues from agriculture to the Welsh Government's support for
:00:42. > :00:48.start-up businesses. We're on Twitter. At Wales politics is the
:00:49. > :00:55.address. For now, let's take a look at today's questions to the First
:00:56. > :00:58.Minister. TRANSLATION: I call the National
:00:59. > :01:03.Assembly to order and the first item on our agenda this afternoon is
:01:04. > :01:07.questions to the First Minister and I have received notification
:01:08. > :01:12.understanding order 12.58 that the Leader of the House Jane Hut will
:01:13. > :01:18.answer questions today on behalf of the First Minister. Thank you. Will
:01:19. > :01:23.the minister replacing the First Minister make a statement on recent
:01:24. > :01:26.discussions with the UK Government regarding agriculture and
:01:27. > :01:29.countryside policies following the decision to leave the European
:01:30. > :01:32.Union? We continue to actively engage with the UK Government in
:01:33. > :01:36.relation to agricultural and countryside policies. The Cabinet
:01:37. > :01:40.secretary for environment and rural affairs met with ministers from both
:01:41. > :01:45.the UK Government and devolved administrations on 23rd February in
:01:46. > :01:49.Edinburgh. I thank the Minister for Her reply.
:01:50. > :01:56.I have been interested in what happened in that meeting in
:01:57. > :02:00.Edinburgh. The Scottish rural economy, Fergus Ewing said today's
:02:01. > :02:04.meeting did not achieve anything. There was no factual information on
:02:05. > :02:08.any of the serious matters raised by farmers. The Environment Secretary
:02:09. > :02:14.in Scotland said the meeting had been a deflection at the meeting by
:02:15. > :02:18.Andrea Leadsom when the devolution issue was raised and Scotland's
:02:19. > :02:23.Brexit Minister said that Andrea Leadsom may have been at a different
:02:24. > :02:27.meeting than everyone else. Does the UK Government actually understand
:02:28. > :02:31.what devolution of agriculture and environmental policies means? Is the
:02:32. > :02:35.minister in place of the First Minister able to give assurances
:02:36. > :02:40.that the Welsh Government will not allow any land grab of our devolved
:02:41. > :02:44.policies by the UK Government? Well, I can certainly assure Simon Thomas
:02:45. > :02:48.of that as he would agree with me and the Welsh Government in relation
:02:49. > :02:51.to the future of agriculture and environment policy in Wales is that
:02:52. > :02:57.the Government we have been engaging with stakeholders for the last six
:02:58. > :03:03.months, through our round table meetings and the implications of
:03:04. > :03:07.exiting the European Union. We've underlined how essential it is that
:03:08. > :03:12.devolved administrations play a full part. Of course, the Cabinet
:03:13. > :03:17.secretary for finance and Local Government only attended the EU
:03:18. > :03:21.joint committee council only ten days ago with the colleagues of
:03:22. > :03:26.course from Scottish Government and Northern Ireland devolved
:03:27. > :03:30.administration. The health experts are now telling
:03:31. > :03:35.us that we shouldn't just eat five a day, but we need to eat ten a day if
:03:36. > :03:39.we want to live a long-life. What discussions have been had around
:03:40. > :03:43.food security in the light of the reduction of the value of the pound
:03:44. > :03:47.and in particularly in relation to makes us more self-sufficient across
:03:48. > :03:51.the UK in the production of fruit and vegetables and I wondered
:03:52. > :03:55.whether that has been at all discussed in the UK negotiations?
:03:56. > :04:00.Well, this is crucially important and of course, we have got our
:04:01. > :04:05.action plan for the food and drink industry working closely with food
:04:06. > :04:08.security and food safety stakeholders, partners to sustain
:04:09. > :04:13.and enhance the food production base in Wales and working with the
:04:14. > :04:16.industry and that's about improving resilience, productivity,
:04:17. > :04:20.competitiveness of food and farming businesses adding value to our
:04:21. > :04:25.supply chains and clearly, the food production does put us at a
:04:26. > :04:29.competitive advantage for Wales. Ideally suited, of course, in terms
:04:30. > :04:33.of I shall ceasing the variety of our food products, but looking to
:04:34. > :04:38.our own needs and that's where Wales' farming businesses make a
:04:39. > :04:44.critical contribution to safeguarding the UK's food security.
:04:45. > :04:52.TRANSLATION: Thank you. The Leader of the House, the Cabinet secretary
:04:53. > :04:55.responsible for agriculture has said that the UK-wide agricultural
:04:56. > :05:01.framework maybe appropriate. So in light of this can you tell us what
:05:02. > :05:05.kind of framework Government would want to see introduced and can you
:05:06. > :05:10.tell us what the Welsh Government's objective is when it comes to such a
:05:11. > :05:13.framework? We will play an active part in developing frameworks and
:05:14. > :05:17.with the other devolved nations. I think we need to look at where UK
:05:18. > :05:22.frameworks and structures are needed to replace those currently set by
:05:23. > :05:25.the EU. But we see these as big collectively developed and agreed of
:05:26. > :05:28.the that's crucially important, collectively developed and agreed
:05:29. > :05:33.and not imposed and most importantly, there must be an
:05:34. > :05:42.independent arbitration mechanism to resolve disputes over interms.
:05:43. > :05:46.-- interpretations. Secretary, the library of Wales series, thanks to
:05:47. > :05:52.Welsh Government assessment... You need to ask the question on the
:05:53. > :05:57.order paper. Would the minister tell us how the
:05:58. > :06:01.library of Wales series has been promoted in schools? The Welsh
:06:02. > :06:06.Government continues to fund the library of Wales series through the
:06:07. > :06:13.Welsh Books Council, gifts sets of one copy of each title are being
:06:14. > :06:18.secondary to all secondary schools and colleges. Thanks to the Welsh
:06:19. > :06:23.Government investment of ?600,000 over the last ten years, 46
:06:24. > :06:33.important literary works are now back in print in English. The most
:06:34. > :06:37.two recent books Ride The White Stallion are an impressive addition
:06:38. > :06:43.to that. Before the recess John Gower and I held an event where we
:06:44. > :06:47.discussed the books with local sixth form students. Having invested so
:06:48. > :06:52.much in the titles, it is vital that local people get to know about the
:06:53. > :06:57.works, about the communities and John Gower is of the view that every
:06:58. > :07:01.community within Wales has a title that can tell them something about
:07:02. > :07:05.their community and about their past that can help us reflect on our
:07:06. > :07:08.common heritage. I'd welcome any further initiatives to make sure
:07:09. > :07:11.that schools and colleges make use of the copies they have so we can
:07:12. > :07:15.reflect on this important investment.
:07:16. > :07:19.Well,ual' glad that the member has drawn attention to that most
:07:20. > :07:25.interesting, I'm sure, visit with John Gower and draw attention to the
:07:26. > :07:29.fact that William Glyn Jones is featured in the new series. It is
:07:30. > :07:33.important that it isn't just gift sets going to schools. Clearly, they
:07:34. > :07:39.have to be, those books have to be used widely. They need to be
:07:40. > :07:42.borrowed, shared, read, shared and discussed throughout schools and
:07:43. > :07:47.colleges. I think as the member has said, the fact that we have brought
:07:48. > :07:52.this new generation of series to readers, 46 titles being published,
:07:53. > :07:58.is vitally important, but it actually is also crucial that we see
:07:59. > :08:01.this as part of our world developing our world-class education system
:08:02. > :08:07.geared to equipping our children and young people to thrive amid the
:08:08. > :08:11.challenges of the 21st century. Cabinet secretary, whilst I welcome
:08:12. > :08:14.the continued commitment to the national Wales series, are you aware
:08:15. > :08:17.of the report that was published last week which talked about the
:08:18. > :08:21.reading trends and reading ability of pupils across the UK in that
:08:22. > :08:27.particular report, it demonstrated that Wales had seen a slump in
:08:28. > :08:31.reading ages. So that actually in terms of the situation against
:08:32. > :08:37.chronicle age, pupils in secondary schools are a full year behind on
:08:38. > :08:40.average than their actual chronicle, their chronological ages and wonder
:08:41. > :08:44.what action the Welsh Government is going to take to address this
:08:45. > :08:49.particular problem in terms of addressing these reading ages in our
:08:50. > :08:53.secondary schools? Well, in March we published our national literacy and
:08:54. > :08:58.numeracy programme. That plan gave us a clear vision of our strategy
:08:59. > :09:04.for literacy and numeracy going forward. It ensures there is
:09:05. > :09:07.significant on going support for numeracy and literacy. The report
:09:08. > :09:11.showed that standards are improving in Wales and we will work to
:09:12. > :09:15.maintain that momentum. TRANSLATION: Questions now from the
:09:16. > :09:23.party leaders. The leader of the Welsh Conservatives.
:09:24. > :09:27.We were all horrified by the story about Ellie May Clarke, the death
:09:28. > :09:33.over the weekend, and the tragedy that led up to the sequence of
:09:34. > :09:36.events that her mother went to the GP surgery, ultimately sought the
:09:37. > :09:41.appointment and given the medical history of little Ellie should have
:09:42. > :09:47.been seen by the GP. No right minded person could fail to be horrified by
:09:48. > :09:50.what led to those tragic events. I'd be grateful to understand what the
:09:51. > :09:54.Welsh Government is doing and I'm not blaming the Welsh Government
:09:55. > :09:58.here, what I'm saying is as the Government of Wales, and this
:09:59. > :10:02.happened in Wales, what is the Welsh Government doing to work with the
:10:03. > :10:07.regulator to address the matters that were raised in the report that
:10:08. > :10:11.looked into this incident? Well, I thank you for that question
:10:12. > :10:15.because we are all aware here today of the tragic death of Ellie May and
:10:16. > :10:20.my thoughts are with her family at this difficult time. It is a
:10:21. > :10:26.professional regulatory matter for the GMC who oversee such cases that
:10:27. > :10:30.the UK level as the leader of the Welsh Conservatives will recognise
:10:31. > :10:34.and as you've acknowledged, it is what role can we play? It would be
:10:35. > :10:38.appropriate for Welsh Government to intervene, but I think we have to
:10:39. > :10:42.say that from our understanding, the GMC's investigation of the GP's
:10:43. > :10:47.actions underlines the need for high standards of care to be delivered at
:10:48. > :10:53.all times. I'm also aware that the Crown is now investigate and an
:10:54. > :10:57.inquest is due to be held. Leader of the House, it is quite clear if The
:10:58. > :11:00.Mail on Sunday hadn't under taken an investigation this report would have
:11:01. > :11:04.been buried in the deep, deep recesses of the GMC report. And
:11:05. > :11:08.wouldn't have come to light and we owe The Mail on Sunday a great debt
:11:09. > :11:11.of gratitude because they have informed the family of the outcome
:11:12. > :11:14.because as I understand t the family had not been informed of the outcome
:11:15. > :11:19.of the investigation, but it cannot be right that when you look at these
:11:20. > :11:23.circumstances, these types of investigations, are conducted behind
:11:24. > :11:27.closed doors and that the family and those concerned with these matters
:11:28. > :11:33.are not fully informed of the process and the outcome. Do you
:11:34. > :11:36.believe, like me, Leader of the House, that the GMC's procedures in
:11:37. > :11:43.these matters leave a lot to be required and addressed and not fit
:11:44. > :11:49.for purpose? I think the case was reviewed in accordance with the
:11:50. > :11:52.current GMC procedures and it is important also say this afternoon
:11:53. > :11:56.that the health board took the action to refer the doctor to the
:11:57. > :12:01.GMC following their own internal investigation, that's again where we
:12:02. > :12:05.must recognise that responsibility that action that was taken. I mean I
:12:06. > :12:12.also noticed that Sir Donald Irvine, the former president of the GMC
:12:13. > :12:13.himself was calling for greater transparency as a result of this
:12:14. > :12:23.tragic case. May be what aren't De Angelis it is
:12:24. > :12:28.a proactive approach from Welsh government toy identify that these
:12:29. > :12:31.purposes are not fit for purpose and many times the Welsh government is
:12:32. > :12:38.called to make representations on various matters, I would look to you
:12:39. > :12:42.to try and encourage the Cabinet Secretary for health to write to the
:12:43. > :12:46.GMC to address its protocols and procedures because the GMC is there
:12:47. > :12:52.not to look after its own but to look after everyone. In this case in
:12:53. > :12:56.particular it has fallen down and I hope in responding to my first
:12:57. > :13:00.question you indicate that the Welsh government will be writing to the
:13:01. > :13:05.GMC to ask them to address the deeply, deeply, deeply held concerns
:13:06. > :13:10.of members of this institution and the wider public in this specific
:13:11. > :13:18.case which really has led the families down and above all is
:13:19. > :13:23.letting Ellie and her memory down. We are certainly going to be looking
:13:24. > :13:30.at this case in terms of the GMC, but I think it is important that you
:13:31. > :13:33.put your point on record today and I'm sure that those points can be
:13:34. > :13:42.made and will be made across this chamber. Leader of Plaid Cymru
:13:43. > :13:46.Leanne Wood. You will be aware over the past few years I have pressed
:13:47. > :13:51.the First Minister on the question of widening access for drugs and
:13:52. > :13:54.treatments in Wales. Today we have some people in the public gallery
:13:55. > :13:58.who are living with multiple sclerosis and I would like to
:13:59. > :14:03.welcome them to the Senedd. They have asked me to take forward an
:14:04. > :14:08.issue which is of utmost importance to the quality-of-life. Everyone in
:14:09. > :14:12.the chamber is aware of the difficulties in accessing drugs and
:14:13. > :14:15.treatment specifically for MS. Leader of what was the Welsh
:14:16. > :14:20.government's review on the availability of those drugs and
:14:21. > :14:23.treatments? Clearly there is an opportunity now as a result of the
:14:24. > :14:27.discussions that we have had to look very carefully at the opportunities
:14:28. > :14:35.for those judged to be made available and of course this is part
:14:36. > :14:39.of the way forward in terms of the review of the prescribing of those
:14:40. > :14:45.drugs. Thank you, Leader of the House. We know that Wales was the
:14:46. > :14:53.first country in the UK to approve the cannabis -based drug in 2014,
:14:54. > :14:58.the evidence from patients is consistent and clear. It is
:14:59. > :15:06.effective, it reduces pain and spasms but access to Sativex is
:15:07. > :15:11.patchy. The survey found only 1% of the blue said they were eligible for
:15:12. > :15:15.Sativex actually had access to it. The survey also suggests that a
:15:16. > :15:18.number of people living with MS who take disease modifying therapies
:15:19. > :15:24.appears to be lower than in Scotland or England. There is a real concern
:15:25. > :15:27.that other new drugs and treatments coming through the system will be
:15:28. > :15:36.equally as difficult to access. If you accept there is a patchy
:15:37. > :15:41.availability of these drugs and that is a major obstacle to the
:15:42. > :15:44.quality-of-life of citizens Wells, what resources is the Welsh
:15:45. > :15:50.government prepared to allocate to the infrastructure around MS, MS
:15:51. > :15:55.nursing and neurology, in order to help patients get support they need?
:15:56. > :16:00.I very much welcome the engagement of the MS Society, an organisation
:16:01. > :16:07.that has represented patients with MS so effectively in Wales. And of
:16:08. > :16:13.course their evidence is vitally important and the considerations of
:16:14. > :16:22.very clear clinical arrangements in terms of prescribing of drugs. But
:16:23. > :16:25.it is important we look at the impact and availability of access in
:16:26. > :16:32.terms of those medications such as Sativex which you have just raised.
:16:33. > :16:38.I think your second point also relates to the wider services we can
:16:39. > :16:42.provide to MS sufferers. Much progress has been made in terms of
:16:43. > :16:48.availability, in terms of research, and drugs and appropriate
:16:49. > :16:56.treatments. But it also has to be the wider care pathway is way. I
:16:57. > :17:01.very much hope we do see of extra resources. The lack of availability
:17:02. > :17:08.Sativex has led people to pursue alternatives of their own. I
:17:09. > :17:13.recently went with the 60th -- 64-year-old woman who has primary
:17:14. > :17:17.progressive MS, and she experiences pain and spasms every day. Her daily
:17:18. > :17:23.drug regime includes morphing, coding, paracetamol and diazepam.
:17:24. > :17:26.Because Sativex is not available in her area she uses cannabis as a
:17:27. > :17:34.replacement, obviously risking problems with the law. How is it OK
:17:35. > :17:42.to take morphine but by buying cannabis she risks prosecution? On
:17:43. > :17:44.every tenth following a government review, we joined many countries
:17:45. > :17:49.around the world in recommending that cannabis should be legalised
:17:50. > :17:53.for medicinal use. There is also support for this in Scotland and we
:17:54. > :17:56.have heard at least one police and crime commission for Wales
:17:57. > :17:59.recommending that the same thing happens here. Will the Welsh
:18:00. > :18:07.government follow our Irish and Scottish counterparts and advocate
:18:08. > :18:11.the decriminalisation of cannabis to relieve the symptoms of multiple
:18:12. > :18:18.sclerosis and other conditions? What I would like to do is ensure that we
:18:19. > :18:23.can make those medications and drugs are available such as Sativex which
:18:24. > :18:27.obviously has proven benefits. I certainly would want to ensure from
:18:28. > :18:32.your questions today that we look very carefully at access and
:18:33. > :18:44.availability of those proven and clinically beneficial medications
:18:45. > :18:47.for people with MS in Wales. The leader of the Ukip group Johannsson.
:18:48. > :19:04.If you exclude the leader of Plaid Cymru raised -- Neil Hamilton. The
:19:05. > :19:08.First Minister appealed for calm. Is then the leader of Plaid Cymru has
:19:09. > :19:11.interpreted calmness in a rather unusual way. Plaid Cymru have said
:19:12. > :19:17.that internet trolls upon the activists who want to maintain
:19:18. > :19:22.medication in the village and have twisted innocent Facebook posts in
:19:23. > :19:27.an attempt at character assassination. Jonathan Edwards, the
:19:28. > :19:32.MP for Carmarthen East supported by the leader of Plaid Cymru has
:19:33. > :19:39.engaged in a public campaign of intimidation for having the temerity
:19:40. > :19:42.to seek my help as one of the AMs in the fight against Plaid Cymru
:19:43. > :19:45.intolerance and indeed the leader of Plaid Cymru has even published on
:19:46. > :19:52.her Facebook page a photograph of one of them following which this
:19:53. > :19:57.lady has been verbally abused in the street and spat at. As Leader of the
:19:58. > :20:02.House will you defend our collective rights as members in this assembly,
:20:03. > :20:09.as representatives of the people of Wales to seek redress and grievances
:20:10. > :20:13.on half of all the -- all our constituents and condemned the
:20:14. > :20:17.attack on the constitutional rights of all my constituents to seek help
:20:18. > :20:20.on the future education of their children? I have to say I'm
:20:21. > :20:30.concerned that the leader of Ukip is not helping to reduce the toxic
:20:31. > :20:33.situation, in fact the maybe as has been described. This is something
:20:34. > :20:35.where in terms of our responsibilities and indeed your
:20:36. > :20:43.responsibilities, we must be very clear here, the Welsh government
:20:44. > :20:47.can't comment on any proposals for change that are under consideration
:20:48. > :20:51.by a local authority. It is the responsibility for the local
:20:52. > :21:00.authorities, the planning of school places rests with them. I fully
:21:01. > :21:03.accept that but the process by which the decision was arrived at in the
:21:04. > :21:07.county council has wide imprecations and calls for change in legislation.
:21:08. > :21:14.There was a consultation exercise which was carried out which was a
:21:15. > :21:21.complete sham. There was 1418 responses, 698 responses in support
:21:22. > :21:28.of the proposal, 720 against. But one of the responses against had 757
:21:29. > :21:36.signatures, that was regarded as one vote. You do not have to provide an
:21:37. > :21:44.address or postcode if you respond to the consultation, 27 of these
:21:45. > :21:47.were anonymous, not even a name. In these circumstances given that there
:21:48. > :21:53.is clearly a very substantial opposition within the catchment area
:21:54. > :21:57.to the imposition of Welsh language only instruction surely there is a
:21:58. > :22:00.case here for a stay in the proceedings whilst we consider
:22:01. > :22:07.whether this change, which in the longer term may be desirable, should
:22:08. > :22:10.be brought in so that public opinion can come with us rather than
:22:11. > :22:15.fighting it. These are as I have said matters for Caernarfonshire
:22:16. > :22:21.Council. As a gum and we are supportive of the Welsh language you
:22:22. > :22:24.want to see an extension of it and more children involved. But it is
:22:25. > :22:30.for the Council to justify the decisions it takes. Clearly
:22:31. > :22:34.sensitive to the fact that local authorities must comply with the
:22:35. > :22:37.School standards and organisation Wales act 2013 and the code and look
:22:38. > :22:42.at the range of factors when proposing change. It is true they
:22:43. > :22:46.must comply with the legislation but they can comply with the letter of
:22:47. > :22:50.the whilst wholly ignoring its spirit which is exactly what has in
:22:51. > :22:58.this case. There hasn't been a consultation, there has been a
:22:59. > :23:02.nonsultation because the decision was arrived at before the
:23:03. > :23:04.consultation exercises. Isn't it time for a proper consultation
:23:05. > :23:09.exercise which is independently conducted of all those within the
:23:10. > :23:12.catchment area alone and ignoring the responses which are nothing to
:23:13. > :23:19.do with the area which is most concerned. Again I have to say it is
:23:20. > :23:23.not a matter for Welsh government to intervene. Of course it is important
:23:24. > :23:27.that any local authority does take into account the views of those who
:23:28. > :23:34.live locally. And indeed the consultation was held between
:23:35. > :23:40.January 28 and 18 of March last year to which there were 267 responses.
:23:41. > :23:48.It is now for us to elect the process redress in terms of the
:23:49. > :23:56.legislation. The School standards act 2013 and the school organisation
:23:57. > :23:59.code. Question three, Dawn Bodenham. Will the Cabinet Secretary please
:24:00. > :24:04.make a statement on the Welsh government support for start-up
:24:05. > :24:08.business. We continue to provide support through the business Wales
:24:09. > :24:12.service and we encourage business start-up from a young age through
:24:13. > :24:22.our big ideas campaign. 'S thank you for that response. Last week I met
:24:23. > :24:25.with representatives from the borough council and training to talk
:24:26. > :24:34.about the support they gave to new businesses in the area. One of those
:24:35. > :24:40.successes is the meanwhile use programme which replaces funding and
:24:41. > :24:46.under that scheme the enterprise centre encourages local landlords
:24:47. > :24:54.with vacant properties to let them out to new businesses. That enables
:24:55. > :24:59.new enterprises to test out and amend their business models based on
:25:00. > :25:02.working experience. And allows the landlord to realise the potential
:25:03. > :25:05.benefit of letting out vacant premises for business to the
:25:06. > :25:09.element. This has enabled seven new businesses to start-up up in vacant
:25:10. > :25:13.premises in the town centre. Additionally through the effect
:25:14. > :25:18.programme Merthyr Tydfil enterprise Centre has given support to around
:25:19. > :25:24.170 businesses in the area, creating 51 jobs and safeguarding a further
:25:25. > :25:29.151 jobs. Does the Cabinet Secretary agree with me that it is support
:25:30. > :25:32.like this which is contributing to the situation where Merthyr Tydfil
:25:33. > :25:36.has become the leading growth Centre for new business in Wales and can
:25:37. > :25:40.she gave an assurance that funding under vibrant and viable places,
:25:41. > :25:43.which has been so crucial to the success of these schemes, will
:25:44. > :25:49.remain a key component of the Welsh government strategy to encourage new
:25:50. > :25:54.start-ups for small businesses? Dawn Bodenham illustrates a very good
:25:55. > :26:01.way, constructive way in which we have been able to invest the vibrant
:26:02. > :26:03.and vital places investment in investment in Merthyr Tydfil
:26:04. > :26:07.obviously in partnership with the local authority and other partners.
:26:08. > :26:15.I think in terms of the way forward, if there is a flagship regeneration
:26:16. > :26:23.programme over ?124 million capital funding, in 18 areas across Wales,
:26:24. > :26:28.and forecasting a programme to and deliver more than 2000 jobs and
:26:29. > :26:34.support my Busby bling to work. So this of course takes us forward with
:26:35. > :26:36.regards to the future particularly with regard to the capital
:26:37. > :26:49.regeneration programme. Data shows the number of new
:26:50. > :26:54.businesses starting up across Wales has fallen by a staggering 26% over
:26:55. > :26:57.the last five years. Can I ask what the Welsh Government is doing to
:26:58. > :27:01.reverse this trend and also can I ask what the Welsh Government is
:27:02. > :27:04.doing to encourage younger people to consider starting up their own
:27:05. > :27:10.business as a positive life choice following leaving school? Well, I
:27:11. > :27:16.don't know where those figures that rustle George quotes this afternoon
:27:17. > :27:20.are emmating from in terms of the evidence, but I'd like to put the
:27:21. > :27:24.record straight that the latest data shows the number of business births
:27:25. > :27:32.in Wales has grown every year since the financial crisis and in 2015
:27:33. > :27:36.reached a record high of 11525. I'm sure Russell George will agree with
:27:37. > :27:38.me that the results are extremely encouraging and they demonstrate a
:27:39. > :27:46.climate in Wales where businesses are confident to start, grow and
:27:47. > :27:53.thrive. A group of London-based investors
:27:54. > :27:58.accelerate me are looking to create a new fund with four million of
:27:59. > :28:05.their own money, hopefully backed by ?6 million of Welsh Government money
:28:06. > :28:13.to back Welsh start-ups and create a home-grown version of the highly
:28:14. > :28:19.successful start-up accelerator programme. Does the Leader of the
:28:20. > :28:23.House agree this kind of approach supporting indigenous business and
:28:24. > :28:27.connecting them with external capital and knowledge should be at
:28:28. > :28:31.the heart of the Welsh Government's new economic strategy and on that
:28:32. > :28:36.basis would she urge her Cabinet colleagues to meet with the
:28:37. > :28:41.proposals of the idea? Well, I don't think there is a word I would
:28:42. > :28:44.disagree with. I think the Cabinet secretary would only be too
:28:45. > :28:49.delighted to meet with the London-based investors. I think it
:28:50. > :28:53.is important you mention indigenous businesses and we are continuing to
:28:54. > :28:58.support indigenous business and we have got a record number of
:28:59. > :29:03.enterprises headquartered in Wales and Wales has the highest number of
:29:04. > :29:09.new businesses in over a decade and to date ?13 million has been
:29:10. > :29:12.invested and 1703 start-ups in Wales through the start-ups loan company.
:29:13. > :29:17.This is encouraging that there are more who want to invest in Wales.
:29:18. > :29:23.TRANSLATION: Question four is withdrawn. John Griffiths. What
:29:24. > :29:29.steps will the Welsh Government to strengthen Wales' international
:29:30. > :29:32.relationships? This week the First Minister hosted the London-based
:29:33. > :29:36.diplomatic core and will be visiting and is visiting the United States,
:29:37. > :29:41.the Cabinet secretary for environment and rural affairs and
:29:42. > :29:46.finance and Local Government are in Dubai and will be in Brussels this
:29:47. > :29:48.week and last week the Cabinet secretary for infrastructure visited
:29:49. > :29:54.China. Thank you for that. Cabinet
:29:55. > :30:00.secretary, the European Union is a great economic social and political
:30:01. > :30:06.force in the world and leaving the European Union threatens to greatly
:30:07. > :30:10.diminish the standing of Wales and UK in the world. So could you
:30:11. > :30:15.reassure me that as far as Wales is concerned, Welsh Government must
:30:16. > :30:19.find new ways of working with the European Union and European Union
:30:20. > :30:25.member states in the run-up to Brexit and beyond and that the UK
:30:26. > :30:30.Government should commit through its Brexit negotiations to securing
:30:31. > :30:37.continuing participation in key European Union programmes open to
:30:38. > :30:43.non member states such as Horizon 2020 and Erasmus Plus and secure
:30:44. > :30:45.continuing participation in trance national economic development
:30:46. > :30:49.programmes particularly with our close neighbour, the Republic of
:30:50. > :30:52.Ireland. I thank John Griffiths for that
:30:53. > :30:57.question because we make it very clear in our White Paper, securing
:30:58. > :31:01.Wales' future, Wales is leaving the EU, but not Europe and we strongly
:31:02. > :31:06.believe that Wales and the UK should continue to participate in those key
:31:07. > :31:12.EU programmes. You mention Horizon 2020. That's supporting research and
:31:13. > :31:17.development projects between higher education, private sector, partners,
:31:18. > :31:19.erasious Plus again, those education exchanges that can transform the
:31:20. > :31:24.prospects and opportunities of young people. We want to see a
:31:25. > :31:27.far-reaching and far clearer commitment from the UK Government to
:31:28. > :31:32.securing this outcome from the Brexit negotiations and of course,
:31:33. > :31:35.they form part of the negotiations which Cabinet secretaries are
:31:36. > :31:42.engaged with, but you also mentioned our Ireland. That is also crucially
:31:43. > :31:46.important because we have the Ireland-Wales programme which we are
:31:47. > :31:53.responsible for and which also includes a number of very important
:31:54. > :31:59.R D projects and indeed, projects and initiatives that can improve and
:32:00. > :32:04.constructively help Wales as well as Ireland.
:32:05. > :32:07.It is clearly vital that we develop stronger economic links across the
:32:08. > :32:13.world in the wake of the vote to leave the European Union. And if we
:32:14. > :32:17.could still in some way access schemes such as Horizon 2020 and
:32:18. > :32:20.similar programmes following Brexit in some way then that would be a
:32:21. > :32:23.bonus. I was pleased to hear you mention that. However, I would say a
:32:24. > :32:27.trade mission and the First Minister is away on a trade mission at the
:32:28. > :32:31.moment, a trade mission only works if enough planning has gone into it
:32:32. > :32:35.and the right companies have been unviteded in good time and the
:32:36. > :32:39.mission is clear about its objectives, that didn't happen
:32:40. > :32:43.entirely in 2012 on the previous US mission of that time. Has it
:32:44. > :32:47.happened this time around? Who is on that mission with the First Minister
:32:48. > :32:53.and have they been given adequate preparation time? Well, I am
:32:54. > :32:56.disappoint that you speak of trade missions disparagingly and don't
:32:57. > :33:01.welcome the trade missions and I will go on to your point about the
:33:02. > :33:09.US trade mission, but mean last week, I'm sure he'd welcome the fact
:33:10. > :33:23.that the Cabinet secretary actually had an important visit to China.
:33:24. > :33:28.With two new investments announced with the creation of 38 hi-tech jobs
:33:29. > :33:33.and two new stores in Wales by Flooring Republic. The clear links
:33:34. > :33:39.with the US in terms of the fact that we have not only those US
:33:40. > :33:44.companies based in Wales, who are informing our trade mission, but
:33:45. > :33:51.also demonstrating the impact that we can have for a leader, a Welsh
:33:52. > :33:58.Labour First Minister, going to the States saying that Wales is clearly
:33:59. > :34:04.open for business. TRANSLATION: Thank you. As chair of
:34:05. > :34:09.the cross party group on Wales internationally it has been good to
:34:10. > :34:16.see a consensus developing across the parties on the need to develop
:34:17. > :34:23.relationships and to develop the potential of close links between
:34:24. > :34:29.Wales and its diaspra. There was agreement on the need for the Welsh
:34:30. > :34:37.Government to develop a clear strot gee on how to secure that and that
:34:38. > :34:39.in addition to the kinds of international relationships that's
:34:40. > :34:42.currently undertaking and trade visits and so on and so forth. Does
:34:43. > :34:47.the Leader of the House agree with the group on this point and what
:34:48. > :34:53.steps are being put in place by Government to ensure that those
:34:54. > :34:57.links with the Diaspra are developed? It is important that we
:34:58. > :35:01.have a cross party group and you are chairing that and bringing together
:35:02. > :35:05.that consensus that we need here in this chamber to support our First
:35:06. > :35:09.Minister who is in the US. Welsh Government has always promoted Wales
:35:10. > :35:15.around St David's Day and that's a key focus of these visits. And also,
:35:16. > :35:22.indeed, not only in terms of visits to USA, China, Dubai, Brussels,
:35:23. > :35:27.there are also events happening in embassies, high commissions across
:35:28. > :35:33.Europe and elsewhere. I think it is important that we recognise that for
:35:34. > :35:36.example, the First Minister his programme in the US includes
:35:37. > :35:41.business and political meetings. He'll make a statement as Cabinet
:35:42. > :35:48.secretary's always do on their return from the trade missions and
:35:49. > :35:53.recognise it is with the Diaspra that we engage, it is with the
:35:54. > :35:58.companies in Wales that are US companies, but also that the trade
:35:59. > :36:02.mission and cultural visiting delegation visiting China also
:36:03. > :36:06.provided a profile. So I've already given you some outcomes from the
:36:07. > :36:13.Chinese trade mission. I'm sure we will have outcomes from the US visit
:36:14. > :36:15.by the First Minister in due course. TRANSLATION: Question 16, Neil
:36:16. > :36:20.Hamilton. Will the First Minister make a statement on what the Welsh
:36:21. > :36:26.Government is doing to assist park home residents who face paying a 10%
:36:27. > :36:34.commission on the sale of their homes. It delivered important
:36:35. > :36:39.safeguards for park home residents. As the Cabinet secretary knows there
:36:40. > :36:44.will be a review of the 2013 legislation this year. Will the
:36:45. > :36:50.Welsh Government be contributing to that and will the Welsh Government
:36:51. > :36:55.intend to do anything about this 10% commission which is compulsorily
:36:56. > :37:01.extracted from those who want to sell their homes in exchange for
:37:02. > :37:07.which mobile home park owners do nothing. Since the 2013 Act they
:37:08. > :37:11.have no role in the sale of the mobile homes. It is a significant
:37:12. > :37:16.inhibition on people from selling their homes especially if they tend
:37:17. > :37:20.to be elderly and on low incomes, it is a significant problem. I
:37:21. > :37:25.appreciate that Neil Hamilton wasn't here during the session when we have
:37:26. > :37:27.supported and the Welsh Government supported the mobile homes
:37:28. > :37:31.legislation presented by Peter black. It then became the mobile
:37:32. > :37:38.homes Wales Act 2013 which you refer to. I just need to remind the member
:37:39. > :37:42.that this legislation consolidates previous legislation relating to
:37:43. > :37:49.park or residential homes and it is much further than legislation in
:37:50. > :37:54.England. We require all seats to be relicensed and for site managers to
:37:55. > :37:56.fit a proper person test. The Welsh Government did commission an
:37:57. > :38:03.independent review of the economics of the park home industry in 2015.
:38:04. > :38:08.The report has been published and clearly the Cabinet secretary is
:38:09. > :38:14.looking at that and the options. I think it is very important that we
:38:15. > :38:19.have a system that is transparent and fairly reflects the costs that
:38:20. > :38:23.site owners have and also the ability for people who, the
:38:24. > :38:26.residents of mobile homes to, you know, have a knowledge of what the
:38:27. > :38:31.costs are to and to challenge them if necessary. At the moment it is
:38:32. > :38:36.very opaque and it seems very unfair and in terms of where the power is,
:38:37. > :38:45.it is lauded against the mobile homeowners. Well, there is a
:38:46. > :38:51.balanced view about the site owners and those, of course, who are
:38:52. > :38:57.purchasing those homes on the park home sites and I am I aware that
:38:58. > :39:02.there is a lot of concern that's been raised. There is a petition
:39:03. > :39:07.that's also come forth. I think it is very important to, again repeat,
:39:08. > :39:10.that we have done more to protect park home residents which is crucial
:39:11. > :39:16.than other parts of the UK. All park home sites in Wales have had toy
:39:17. > :39:23.afor a new licence and I have said about the fit and proper person
:39:24. > :39:26.tests and we have allowed time for a stricter regulatory regime resulting
:39:27. > :39:30.from the mobile homes Wales Act which was supported by the whole
:39:31. > :39:36.Assembly as it came through and in fact I remember Peter black was
:39:37. > :39:40.congratulated by Mark I shaller wood when the Bill came through, but we
:39:41. > :39:44.must look at the points that's been raised this afternoon and that's
:39:45. > :39:49.what the Cabinet secretary is doing. A mart majority of park home
:39:50. > :39:54.residents in Wales are over the age of 55 and the most recent report
:39:55. > :40:00.suggests they are on average 71 years old and they don't envisage
:40:01. > :40:03.leaving or selling their homes in the foreseeable future. Increase in
:40:04. > :40:07.pitch fee to say cover losses incurred by park owners which would
:40:08. > :40:11.result from the reduction of sales commissions is not a good long-term
:40:12. > :40:16.solution and what considerations has your Government given to this? Well,
:40:17. > :40:20.the independent report didn't actually recommend that removal of
:40:21. > :40:25.the commission rate, but the Cabinet secretary obviously is looking at
:40:26. > :40:28.the recommendations of the report. He's not bound by them. He's
:40:29. > :40:36.considering a range of options on whether further action is merited.
:40:37. > :40:40.TRANSLATION: Question 7. Will the First Minister make a statement on
:40:41. > :40:47.concessionary travel schemes? Our concessionary bus travel scheme is
:40:48. > :40:52.hugely popular with 760,000 older or disabled pass holders resident in
:40:53. > :40:56.Wales and we are continuing to support the discounted bus travel
:40:57. > :40:59.arrangements for 16, 17 and 18-year-olds throughout Wales while
:41:00. > :41:03.we design a different scheme over the coming months.
:41:04. > :41:09.TRANSLATION: Thank you for that response and further to that,
:41:10. > :41:12.naturally there has been some concern particularly among young
:41:13. > :41:15.people following that uncertainty that you've already mentioned
:41:16. > :41:20.surrounding the My Travel PASS scheme. I was pleased to hear the
:41:21. > :41:22.statement by the Cabinet secretary for infrastructure talking about the
:41:23. > :41:25.Government had committed to establishing a similar scheme as
:41:26. > :41:29.we've mentioned to encourage young people to use busesment now, we need
:41:30. > :41:33.assurances in this area. So when can you expect the consultation on the
:41:34. > :41:37.new scheme to commence? Well, as you say, the Cabinet secretary for
:41:38. > :41:43.economy and transport did issue a written statement on 21st February.
:41:44. > :41:48.He outlined his plans. We have agreed with local authorities and
:41:49. > :41:52.the bus industry that the existing discounted travel arrangements will
:41:53. > :41:58.continue. As I said in answer to your first question, we have
:41:59. > :42:03.accepted the offer to come forward with proposals for a new marketing
:42:04. > :42:08.campaign because we know we needed to increase the uptake of passes. We
:42:09. > :42:09.intend to launch a new travel pass from 2018. We will be consulting
:42:10. > :42:20.over the summer. Could I ask what assurances you can
:42:21. > :42:25.give under the preparation for the end of the current funding agreement
:42:26. > :42:28.on concessionary fares next year, discussions with the bus industry
:42:29. > :42:34.and local authorities will be given plenty of time so that the stability
:42:35. > :42:39.of the scheme is maintained. I mean I think in terms of the commitment
:42:40. > :42:45.we have made to concessionary bus fares over the years, the fact that
:42:46. > :42:53.we are estimating local authorities reimburse bus operators in 2016-17
:42:54. > :42:55.between 65 million and 70 million including ?10 million from their own
:42:56. > :42:59.budgets for carrying older and disabled pass holders for free, we
:43:00. > :43:07.are continuing of course with a scheme for young people. And clearly
:43:08. > :43:13.this is an important plank of our Welsh Labour government 's
:43:14. > :43:19.programme. We had a petition delivered to the assembly last year
:43:20. > :43:23.by a pupil at Treorchy comprehensive, this petition calling
:43:24. > :43:27.for rail travel to and from school to be restored, free rail traveller
:43:28. > :43:32.should say, to be restored by Arriva trains who had decided to end the
:43:33. > :43:36.scheme. With the rail franchise for renewal next year I wondered if Ford
:43:37. > :43:39.be given by the government to giving Arriva shove towards restoring the
:43:40. > :43:47.free fares scheme they previously offered. I think rail concessionary
:43:48. > :43:50.travel is a very important way particularly where bus services are
:43:51. > :43:55.limited. It is of course concessionary travel passes can be
:43:56. > :43:58.used on certain train lines and the rostrum has ensured that.
:43:59. > :44:04.Concessionary rail travel is available on some routes, which you
:44:05. > :44:15.will be aware of particularly in Wrexham, Swansea, and the heart of
:44:16. > :44:21.Wales. As you know we have no powers to injuries mandated tree schemes
:44:22. > :44:24.but we do fund voluntary concessionary schemes with Arriva
:44:25. > :44:31.trains Wales. But clearly this is an area where we will be looking at
:44:32. > :44:37.future prospects. What actions is the Welsh government taking to
:44:38. > :44:40.support people from disadvantaged communities? We will take forward a
:44:41. > :44:43.cross government all Wales approach focused on helping people into
:44:44. > :44:48.decent jobs, giving people the best chance in life and ensuring local
:44:49. > :44:56.people are engaged in the design of local services. On February 14 there
:44:57. > :45:00.was a statement regarding these actions and in that statement there
:45:01. > :45:04.was the ambition to get to those furthest from the Labour market.
:45:05. > :45:09.Unfortunately some of those furthest from the market in skills are also
:45:10. > :45:14.physically furthest because they live in communities that are not
:45:15. > :45:22.served by services. What are you doing to actually get jobs closer to
:45:23. > :45:26.them or get them to jobs? The national transport financial plan
:45:27. > :45:30.published in July 20 15th sets out investment for transport
:45:31. > :45:35.infrastructure services across Wales. It has to provide
:45:36. > :45:43.comprehensive solutions for local transport needs. But as the member
:45:44. > :45:47.says it is about improving local public transport and I think an
:45:48. > :45:54.integrated transport type in your area will be a major significance
:45:55. > :46:01.and importance. But we also have very important jobs closer to home
:46:02. > :46:06.initiative and enables people to access jobs. Of course we will hear
:46:07. > :46:08.more from the Cabinet Secretary for economy and transport very shortly
:46:09. > :46:20.in terms of the future of bus services. Will the Minister make a
:46:21. > :46:23.statement on female genital mutilation protection orders.
:46:24. > :46:27.Gunnestad until September 2016 no protection orders were issued in
:46:28. > :46:31.Wales. The Welsh government does not tolerate any form of violence
:46:32. > :46:34.against Wales including FGM and together with our partners we are
:46:35. > :46:43.working hard to tackle this heinous crime. I thank you. It is somewhat
:46:44. > :46:50.amusing that there have been no protection orders whatsoever issued
:46:51. > :46:54.and then consequently no prosecutions for FGM in Wales. It is
:46:55. > :46:59.a crime against the Person and it is the brutal abuse of minors and we
:47:00. > :47:05.need to really in my opinion call it out for what it is. It is child
:47:06. > :47:13.abuse. Nothing more, nothing less. What I am going to ask the Cabinet
:47:14. > :47:18.Secretary is, according to the charity currently supporting 788
:47:19. > :47:24.families affected one way or another by FGM in Wales whether the
:47:25. > :47:32.government will work more closely with them to see if that support can
:47:33. > :47:42.be increased to allow those people to move forward if it is required.
:47:43. > :47:48.To seek some pretension orders. So that we can actually start
:47:49. > :47:52.prosecuting people in this country and send a very clear message that
:47:53. > :47:58.this will not be tolerated, because it seems at the moment that it is
:47:59. > :48:01.being tolerated. I thank Joyce Watson for the leadership she has
:48:02. > :48:08.taken in terms of addressing this and also I thank Jenny Rathbone who
:48:09. > :48:16.chaired the recent events which was attended by many members here today.
:48:17. > :48:23.It is crucial that we enable and support the leadership group, which
:48:24. > :48:25.concerns data collection, ensuring we have FGM safeguarding leads in
:48:26. > :48:32.all our health boards, ensuring that we develop effective FGM care for
:48:33. > :48:37.Wales so we can have referrals into primary health care or third sector
:48:38. > :48:41.provision. Public Health Wales is revising and updating image is
:48:42. > :48:45.worth's safeguarding training and also we have the social services and
:48:46. > :48:49.well-being at strengthening safeguarding procedures. While all
:48:50. > :48:53.of this of course will lead to the point where we feel that mandatory
:48:54. > :48:59.reporting and the ability to take things forward to protection orders
:49:00. > :49:05.will be much more easily facilitated. STUDIO: There we are,
:49:06. > :49:12.that was First Minister's Questions this week. If you want more coverage
:49:13. > :49:19.you can go online to the Senedd live page one our website. More Welsh
:49:20. > :49:26.politics this week, the Wales report after the Ted Ginn news tomorrow. --
:49:27. > :49:27.ten o'clock news. But from all of us on this programme, thanks for
:49:28. > :49:30.watching.