Speaking in the Debate on North Wales, I criticised the “historic underfunding of North Wales by the Labour Welsh Government” and made fresh calls for the devolution of powers from the Welsh Government to North Wales, to match that of neighbouring English regions and act as a desirable enabler of growth.
The value of goods and services produced per head of population (GVA) in West Wales and the Valleys sub-region, including four North Wales Counties, is still bottom across the UK. Even Flintshire and Wrexham have seen their GVA fall from almost 100 per cent of the UK GVA level to just 84%. This Labour Welsh Government gives Flintshire the 19th highest level of local government revenue funding per head of population out of 22 Welsh Local Authorities, with Wrexham 18th.
Speaking in the Debate on Tackling Hate Crime, motivated by hostility or prejudice towards someone based on a personal characteristic, I stated “It is more important than ever that we continue to stand united in the face of hostility and hatred”.
I again challenged the First Minister over the threat to police recruitment caused by Welsh Government policy denying Police Forces in Wales access to funding for apprenticeships.
After the UK Government first introduced its ‘Help to Buy’ housing scheme, the Welsh Government launched its own version with UK Treasury funding, and I asked the Communities Secretary how Wales might benefit from the extra 10 billion now announced by the Prime Minister for this scheme to stimulate new home building and get 135,000 more people onto the housing ladder.
I asked him to support calls for the additional ‘Supporting People’ funding being added to his budget in each of the next two years to be ring-fenced for third sector providers to support at risk people.
Referring to a North Wales Police report, I questioned him over concern that human trafficking through Holyhead port is getting worse, but not enough of the victims are being found, and highlighted the UK Justice Secretary’s announcement of extra investment for both youth custody and helping offenders into employment.
Questioning the Environment Secretary, I highlighted concern expressed by Salmon and Trout Conservation Cymru that Welsh Government proposals to allow unfettered access to Welsh rivers
would not be in the interest of their ecological integrity.
Assembly engagements included Chairing the Cross Party Groups on both Disability and Funerals and Bereavement, Cross Party Group on Deaf Issues, Cancer ‘Patients and Professionals’ event and Community Pharmacy Wales.
North Wales engagements included a visit to Mold’s Bryn Coch Primary School, and speaking at the Motiv8 event held in Colwyn Bay, raising awareness of the close link between physical health and mental wellbeing.
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