/r/TyHywel
Good evening.
When I came into office, I set out to uphold the highest possible standards for care and rigour when it came to Bills put forward by this Government to become law. It is during the course of this mission that we have discovered a grave error in the foundations of some laws enacted by recent Senedds, and our Government will now seek to fix it.
The Welsh Parliament (Wales) Act 2019 sought to rename the National Assembly for Wales to the Welsh Parliament, or the Senedd. However, we find ourselves at something of an impasse, because certain consequential amendments were not made. The Government of Wales Act 2006, for instance, still refers to the 'Assembly' and its laws as 'Acts of the Assembly'. It is unclear if references to 'Acts of Senedd Cymru', then, can form the basis of sound law. Similarly, no provisions are made for referring to members of the Senedd by that title; rather, we have 'Members of the Welsh Parliament' and 'Aelodau Senedd' (as opposed to Members of the Senedd and Aelodau o'r Senedd).
Further, there is ambiguity about the validity of the Bill itself -- the Presiding Officer at the time failed to certify the Bill as pertaining to protected subject-matter as required under the Government of Wales Act. It remains to be decided whether or not the Act is valid law.
Accordingly, this Government has made it a top priority to bring in a Bill to effectively close this point of contention and entrench the name 'Senedd Cymru' in law. We intend to submit this Bill as soon as this evening to be passed as soon as possible. This Bill will make provision to ensure that references to 'Senedd Cymru' and similar terms still refer to the devolved Welsh legislature with retrospective effect.
Additionally, the Welsh Government will be seeking a declaration in the Supreme Court to determine to what extent the Welsh Parliament (Wales) Act is valid law.
We endeavour to resolve this situation as soon as possible, and urge affected stakeholders to reach out as soon as possible if they are in need of further clarity.
The government would like to offer its sincerest apologies for missing the education and skills’ questions session beginning on the 9th of October and ending last night. This was an oversight which I can assure all Members of the Senedd will not happen again. The answers to all questions asked are as follows—
What will the minister do in order to lower class sizes across all ages in Wales?
Expansion of schools and the hiring of more teachers is an important step in this. The government aims to work in conjunction with local authorities in order to do this.
What is the Minister's priority for this term?
The education and skills department’s most imminent priority is reform of education policy in order to ensure education is built around the needs of each individual pupil rather than operating on a one-size-fits-all basis.
Does the Minister support an uprating of maintenance for university students to better aid them in the cost of living crisis?
The government is supportive of this and is open to listening to proposals on this end.
How will the minister be working to support families with young children in education through the cost of living crisis?
The government is considering a variety of proposals in this area, including expansion of eligibility for pupil development grants and measures to reduce the cost of school meals. Further updates will be made at a later date.
Does the Minister believe that apprentices require further protections and support?
Yes, and the government is more than open to proposals regarding this.
Does the Minister believe in academisation in Wales?
No.
Will the Minister be bringing WJEC under the control of the Welsh Government?
The government wouldn’t be opposed to this, but it’s not an imminent priority.
Does the minister agree that a one-size-fits-all approach to education doesn’t work?
Yes.
Does the minister agree that school uniforms should be affordable?
Yes.
Does the minister agree with expansion of eligibility for pupil development grants?
Yes.
Does the minister agree that education is essential in providing every child the best start in life?
Yes.
Does the Minister agree with me that we need to get children going to school even earlier, to fit more learning into the school day?
It is up to each individual school to decide when they wish to start and finish, but the government advises that schools do not start earlier as this would result in more tired pupils and less quality of education.
How many children currently exist in Wrexham schools?
19,000 was the best count I could find regarding the school population in Wrexham.
Will the Government abolish Welsh as a teaching language as it is not real?
No, because the welsh language is most certainly real and frankly I’m shocked the former first minister would suggest the contrary.
How much wood would a woodchuck chuck if a wood chuck could chuck wood?
These responses were written by the Rt Hon Sir u/zakian3000, Baron of Gourock KT KD CMG MVO PC MSP MS MLA on behalf of the 15th Welsh Government.
u/ViktorHr has resigned from the Welsh cabinet in order to avoid any potential conflict of interests with him now holding the post of Secretary of State for Wales. I wish him the best for the future.
Under section 48 of the government of wales act 2006, I appoint myself to the position of culture, broadcasting, and digital affairs minister.
Under section 49(6) of the Government of Wales act 2006, I appoint u/chainchompsky1 to fulfil the duties of the Counsel General for Wales, pending approval from the Senedd for his official appointment under section 49(3) of the government of wales act 2006.
WM095 - Motion to Oppose Reservation of Telecommunications and Internet Services
The Welsh Government recognises the lack of clear reasoning and communication behind the Government of Wales (Wireless Telegraphy) Act, and applauds the Senedd’s decision to refuse consent for it. In the coming days, I will be in touch with representatives from the Westminster government to discuss either repealing the act or amending it to apply only to issues with a UK-wide impact. Further updates will be laid before the Senedd Cymru as negotiations progress.
WM096 - Motion to Request the Devolution of the Crown Estate in Wales
The Welsh Government recognises the results of this division, and can confirm we will be offering our support to any action from the Westminster government to go forward with this devolution. I will discuss this matter further with the Secretary of State for Wales if necessary to ensure the devolution process goes smoothly.
Both responses were written by the Rt Hon. Sir u/zakian3000, Baron of Gourock KT KD CMG MVO PC MSP MS MLA, on behalf of the 15th Welsh Government.
Under section 48 of the government of wales act 2006, I make the following appointments-
u/realbassist to the position of minister for justice
Under section 48 of the Government of Wales Act 2006, I make the following appointments-
u/Model-Gwen to the position of minister for education and skills
Under section 48 of the Government of Wales Act 2006, I make the following appointments-
u/Archism_ to the position of deputy first minister
u/model-kyosanto to the position of minister for infrastructure and the environment
u/tartar-buildup has offered me his resignation as deputy first minister. I thank him for his service to the government and wish him well for the future.
In accordance with section 48 of the government of wales act 2006, u/dyn-cymru is appointed as deputy first minister.
In accordance with Part 2 of the Government of Wales act 2006, I make the following appointments—
Executive
First Minister - u/Zakian3000
Deputy First Minister - u/tartar-buildup
Members of the executive will serve as ex officio members of all departments.
Welsh Ministers
Minister for Finance and the Economy - u/WineRedPsy
Minister for Health and Social Care - u/Dyn-Cymru
Minister for Education and Skills - u/xboxhelpergg
Minister for Justice - u/tartar-buildup
Minister for culture, broadcasting and digital affairs - u/ViktorHR
Minister for Infrastructure and the Environment - u/theverywetbanana
Minister for Housing, Communities, and Local Government - u/DylanLC04
Legal Advisors
Counsel General for Wales - u/ViktorHR
Question 1 (u/Archism) **Is there anything this government is currently working on which they are excited to deliver for Wales, that they have not yet had the opportunity to inform the Senedd about?
This Government has worked on an excellent budget, which has now been presented to the Senedd to showcase our progressive spending plan. We are also still working on our New Towns plan along with other legislation that we hope to introduce to the Senedd.**
Question 2 (u/Archism) **Does this government agree in principle with Volt Cymru's desire to economically transform Wales through the support of modern digital industries? If so, have they enacted any policies they would like to highlight with regard to this area?
This Government is supportive of modern digital industries for Wales, given so much investment has been put into this in England. It is time for Wales to ensure we have the ability to invest in our future. We have not yet introduced an specific policies in this regard, but I would greatly like to work with Volt Cymru on this matter to deliver legislation or policies on this matter.**
Question 3 (u/Archism) Given the passage of the Welsh Eurovision Entry Motion, could the government update the siambr on whether any discussions about a Welsh application to participate have yet taken place with S4C and/or the ESC Reference Group?
As per my statement delivered earlier today, this Government has put into motion the relevant work needed to deliver this statements aim, with funding secured for an entry and a national competition to choose an entry. Furthermore, my Minister for Culture and the Environment is soon to hold more concrete discussions with S4C and the ESC Reference Group on this.
Question 4 (u/Archism) It's entirely possible I've simply missed it, but there has been very little public information I've found about the F4 renegotiations. Can the government confirm whether talks are currently taking place, and if so whether they currently have a good outlook for Wales?
I can confirm that no such concrete talks have been held on this matter yet, with current figures being based on the prior agreement which was very favourable to Wales under the Equality Budget of the Rose II Government. This funding can be seen in the recent budget for Wales which provides progressive economics. As soon as details are given I will endeavour to release details to the Senedd and the public on this matter.
Question 5 (u/Dyn-Cymru) As we all know, Wales has the power to lead a green industrial revolution and make us one of the cleanest countries there is with a few exceptions of course. When I asked the Environment and Culture's Minister about a possible Gwynt y Môr scale of sea wind farm I was told that the government was focusing on a more integrated approach.
Will the government explain what an integrated approach will look like and how will the energy production compare to the aforementioned possible project?
This approach will be an integrated one I can confirm this, and I will certainly consider the plans for a possible Gwynt y Môr scale of sea wind farm. The idea of an integrated approach is to ensure that we implement a varied range of green energy projects, rather than rely on one type. This possible project could certainly play a role in this, and I will consider this in discussion with the Westminster Government with certain energy powers currently and correctly being reserved to Westminster.
Question 6 (u/Dyn-Cymru) Wales has typically always received the technology last but despite this Wales has introduced historic policies in the past. What can the government realistically say they've done that is unique from other governments and designed specifically for the people of Wales.
In terms of unique policies, we have seen the Buy Local campaign as uniquely designed and delivered for Wales first and foremost, with this hand crafted in cooperation between the Government predominantly along with Plaid Cymru. This policy is one that has been different to other recent Government's in other nations of the UK. We have also seen the rail plan which was originally designed by the Government that will deliver a route tailored specifically for Wales and the Welsh people.
Question 7 (u/zakian3000) Question to the finance minister (u/rea-wakey),
I genuinely cannot believe I am still asking this, I must sound like a broken record having to raise this issue every week, but I must once again ask when we are getting answers to the missed finance MQs session held on the 27th of March?
With the deliverance of the budget, priority will be placed on delivering a set of answers to these questions.
Question 8 (u/zakian3000) Rural areas are often neglected when it comes to healthcare. What action is the government taking to change this?
There is a continued funding of new GPs surgeries across Wales within the current budget, with this projected as continuing funding for new surgeries across the next 5 years at least. This will ensure healthcare is available for rural communities. Furthermore, with the investment in a new Medical School in North Wales, we will see an increase in the number of healthcare professionals across Wales, with this including for rural areas. We are funding health fairly, to ensure funding is given to rural areas and is not neglected.
Statement from the First Minister (u/Muffin5136) in response to WM088 - Welsh Eurovision Entry Motion
I thank the Senedd for passing this motion as co-introduced by Volt Cymru and Plaid Cymru. As I made clear in my response to a question on this very topic in my inaugural session of First Minister’s Questions, that I will Respect the will of the Senedd on this motion, despite my personal reservations on this matter.
This motion was fully funded under the budget as introduced to the Senedd yesterday, with 10 million pounds alloted on a flat basis to S4C for the purpose of arranging a national competition to choose our entry, and for sending said entry to Eurovision. This will be done on the basis of entering our first entry to this event in the next calendar year of 2023.
I make use of this statement and the budget allocation to instruct S4C to begin putting these preparations into effect, and I will be ensuring my Minister for Environment and Culture (u/RhysGwenythIV) will be holding discussions with S4C to make sure these preparations are suitable and in line with the will of the Senedd.
I welcome any questions on this matter.
Statement from the Minister for Transport (u/Muffin5136) in response to WM089 - Welsh Rail Expansion Motion
This is a motion with I was in personal support of when it began its writing within cabinet, and when it was first set to be introduced as a statement. I am in personal awe of the skill of the Shadow Deputy Minister for Transport (u/Inadorable) their skill in developing this plan for Welsh Rail Expansion, as I was when they served as my predecessor as Minister for Transport.
The budget as was read yesterday includes the full funding for this 10 year project to deliver the greatest rail expansion seen in Wales since the Beeching Cuts. This delivered £11.875 billion of funding over 10 years to show our commitment and long term plan for this expansion.
Primary legislation on this is being prepared at this moment and will be delivered at our earliest convenience.
I thank my colleague, the Deputy First Minister and Leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats for introducing this motion calling for work to be done to cut down on unnecessary e-Waste. I also wish to thank the Members of the Senedd for voting unanimously in favour of this motion, to show the full support of the Senedd to protecting the environment and current down on this unnecessary waste.
I am happy to follow this motion, to work to support the Welsh Populace in following the advice as set down here, ensuring that people work to cut down unnecessary waste of electrical products. I will also be working with my cabinet to deliver a set of regulations that will be robust to cut down on the inclusion of unnecessarily non-recyclable products within products sold to the public, along with cutting down the usage of one-use products as common practice.
The Senedd has conducted a vote on the important issue of first aid in schools. As a reflection on this, we will be making funding available to incorporate first aid training into the national curriculum, with students in trial schools having access to regular first aid lessons to ensure that First Aid is one of the basic competencies all children shall leave primary school with, along with the ability to read, write, calculate and swim. After the trial is completed, we will investigate the findings scrupulously, in order to make an informed decision about whether to extend this rollout to primary schools across Wales.
Yours Faithfully,
u/GrootyGang
Minister for Education and Skills.
As per the Parliamentary Accountability (Motion Responses) (Wales) Act 2021, I will now deliver a statement on WM082 - First Aid at Work (Continuation and Expansion) Motion.
I am pleased to see this motion of mine pass the Senedd by unanimity of those who voted, showing the desire of the Members of the Senedd as representatives of Wales to support this motion. I can now confirm that the Government will commit to delivering on the motion and will look to expand the rollout of these First Aid provisions for all communal workers across the localities with the populations as laid out in the motion, and I can confirm we will fund this at no less than £10 million in the budget this term.
STATEMENT FROM THE DEPUTY FIRST MINISTER:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Cw_lBb1sU_dOTNF838twq4U-WBjTvkXA/view?usp=sharing
STATEMENT FROM THE FINANCE MINISTER:
Llywydd,
The Welsh Government is deeply concerned with Storm Eunice approaching the United Kingdom today, especially due to the forecasted impact that this will have on Wales.
Yesterday evening, the Deputy First Minister made a request to the Prime Minister for our armed forces to be on standby to support the Welsh people through this storm and the resultant damage to homes, infrastructure and livelihoods. Additionally, the First Minister has instructed all schools, businesses and non-essential services to close, in order to minimise the risk of loss of life.
In my capacity as Finance Minister, I will be liberally distributing financial support to local government, homes and businesses which are expected to be the worst impacted by the storm from the Floods fund, an amount my department allocates each year for this very issue. In addition, I will be releasing an additional £20 million from the Welsh Reserve to support this purpose.
To the people of Wales - **you must stay at home.** This is not a light storm or a spot of wind, but a weather event with tangible risk to life.
Stay Inside, Stay Safe, Stay Alive
Diolch
- /u/Rea-Wakey
The programme for government contained a few plans for taxes, pledging to maintain the current basic WRIT and lower rate of corporation tax. It also pledges to maintain the current capital in the Welsh reserve. However, the programme doesn’t have any plans to raise revenue. Given that the government has a number of policies which will require funding allocated to them, this means one of four things. Either the government is going to break its pfg commitments, a tax rise which hasn’t been included in the programme for government will occur, spending is going to be cut, or the government isn’t going to be able to fund anything new. So may I ask the finance minister, which is it?
I don't see this being an issue in any circumstance as we have a large surplus not yet allocated to the Welsh reserve and as well as this we have recently received good news from Westminster and our financial situation will likely not be as bad as initially expected however if the leader of the opposition has any further concerns I invited them to raise them with me or the finance minister personally.
How serious does the Finance Minister take unemployment in Wales, and what will he do to ensure those who are unemployed find lasting and meaningful work?
The Welsh Government takes unemployment with the utmost seriousness and we have constantly worked to tackle it by bringing new jobs to Wales through nationalisation of steel for example. We have also seen the lower rate of corporation tax for small businesses which will allow small businesses to invest in the local community and the creation of jobs. We are also constantly looking for new ways to tackle unemployment.
What support for businesses is the Minister looking to make available to help us transition to a low-carbon economy?
I am unsure what the Finance Minister himself is planning for this however my department in cooperation with the Ministry of Environment and Culture is working to implement interest free loans to farmers with the goal of getting them to reach certain environmental goals.
Can the Finance Minister at this point outline their main budgetary goals?
We are looking to continue the progressive nature of the budget from last term. A new budget to my knowledge is not yet guaranteed it depends entirely on how our policies and financial position develops. We will certainly be looking to review spending however and we will of course work to ensure all services are adequately funded and that tax rates are working as intended.
How is the Finance Minister going to protect families against higher living costs?
We have implemented a number of policies which will indirectly help families for example cutting taxes on the lowest earners many of which are large families.
How are the prison projects, that the Finance Minister funded, progressing?
To my knowledge that are progressing well and I expect them to be completed on time.
Will the Minister be establishing any commissions this term?
Obviously I am unsure of the ministers personal thoughts so there may well be plans to establish some however to my knowledge not at the moment.
Does the Finance Minister believe there are any remaining economic powers that Wales ought to have that I currently does not/is not proposed within the Wales Act?
Personally I am a supporter of devo max but at the moment the government has no plans to push for further devolution past that outlined in the Wales Act.
Does the Finance Minister believe it would be a solid plan to tax second home owners with a new tax to ensure that Welsh homes are lived in by Welsh people, and not used as empty holiday homes?
This was a policy that was actually discussed at length among the government and I believe the consensus was that yes this would be a solid plan and it is something we would likely support.
Does the Finance Minister believe it would be suitable and appropriate for the rate of corporation tax to be level across all constituent nations in the Union, to ensure no single country becomes a tax haven?
Personally I believe the idea of any country in the union becoming a tax haven is ridiculous and I am not a supporter of this so called race to the bottom theory. If this would happen then it would have happened across the EU already and I do not think there is any need to implement this as policy.
Is the Finance Minister pleased with the financial situation Wales is in after the passage of last term's budget?
I am of course not the Finance Minister however Welsh finances have never been healthier and I am beyond happy with the state of them at this moment.
Does the Finance Minister agree with me that it is a great thing of Welsh pride that the Royal Mint can be found in Cardiff?
I do and I am positive the Finance Minister would be in agreement with me. We should be pride that our country hosts an all important establishment such as the Royal Mint.
I am proud to present this order today. This order will be followed by a full statement on the issue to the Senedd on the 8th of February and following that a full bill in the coming months. I am excited to finally see this issue which I have been working on for the last year finally coming to fruition and I hope to finally see it completed this term. Thank you.
The position of Education and Social Services Minister shall henceforth be fulfilled by u/PoliticoBailey
The position of Deputy Minister for the Economy will be fulfilled by /u/SomeBritishDude26 from 14/01/2022.
- Communication from TyHywel
The position of Minister for Housing, Communities and Local Government will be fulfilled by /u/Muffin5136 from 13/01/2022.
- Communication from TyHywel
The position of Minister for Justice will be fulfilled by u/Zakian3000 from 10/09/2021. They will further resign the position of Deputy Minister for Health which will be taken up by u/Archism_ from 10/09/2021.
- Communication from TyHywel