Written Assembly Questions tabled on 24 January 2017 for answer on 31 January 2017
R - Signifies the Member has declared an interest.
W - Signifies that the question was tabled in Welsh.
(Self-identifying question no. shown in brackets)
Written Questions must be tabled at least five working days before they are to be answered. In practice, Ministers aim to answer within seven/eight days but are not bound to do so. Answers are published in the language in which they are provided, with a translation into English of responses provided in Welsh.
To ask the First Minister
Eluned Morgan (Mid and West Wales): What assurances can the Welsh Government give to consumers travelling abroad that roaming charges for mobile phones will not increase after leaving the EU? (WAQ71927)
Answer recieved on 27 January 2017
The First Minister (Carwyn Jones): We are yet to understand the full implications of Brexit on issues including mobile roaming charges within the European Union. As such it is difficult to provide assurances relating to potential increases in costs to consumers.
However, the Welsh Government is working to protect and promote the interests of Wales during negotiations on the UK's withdrawal from the European Union (EU), and ensure the best possible outcome for the people of Wales.
Eluned Morgan (Mid and West Wales): What assurances can the Welsh Government give to NGOs who have relied on EU funding? (WAQ71928)
Answer received on 31 January 2017
Carwyn Jones: The Welsh Government has repeatedly called for the UK Government to replace, in full, the £370 million a year needs-based funding that Wales receives for EU regional policy, including the structural funds.
We continue to press this message both formally and informally at Ministerial and official levels, including through the Joint Ministerial Committee.
Our EU White Paper, Securing Wales' Future (launched 23 January), repeats our call for EU funding in Wales to be replaced in full and for regional economic development, a devolved area of policy, to be delivered by the Welsh Government, working in partnership with NGOs, local authorities, HE/FE, business, and the third sector.
Eluned Morgan (Mid and West Wales): What is the Welsh Government doing to speed up the spending of EU funding before we leave the EU? (WAQ71929)
Answer received on 31 January 2017
Carwyn Jones: All European structural and investment fund projects approved before the UK leaves the EU are protected by the UK Government’s full lifetime expenditure guarantee that was announced last October.
So far, the Welsh Government has invested more than £1.3 billion (68%) of Wales’ £1.93 billion European Structural Funds allocation for 2014–2020. In addition, we have invested over £547 million to schemes under the Rural Development Programme for 2014–2020 (57% of the programme), including £394 million of EU funds.
We have a strong pipeline of further investments under development and we are committed to making funding decisions as soon as we can so that activities which meet our programme objectives and targets can get underway at the earliest opportunity. However, it remains the case that our ability to invest the remaining funds as planned is dependent on the UK Government’s timescale for leaving the EU.
To ask the Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Infrastructure
David Rees (Aberavon): Will the Cabinet Secretary provide details of the role manufacturing will play in the Welsh Government's economic strategy? (WAQ71930)
David Rees (Aberavon): Will the Cabinet Secretary provide details of the actions taken by the Welsh Government to update its Economic Strategy following
a) the 2016 Assembly elections?
b) the outcome of the referendum on EU membership?
c) the announcement of the Prime Minister of her intentions to take
the UK out of the single market? (WAQ71931)
David Rees (Aberavon): Will the Cabinet Secretary identify the critical sectors of the economy upon which it will base its Industrial Strategy? (WAQ71932)
David Rees (Aberavon): Will the Cabinet Secretary provide a timeline of the publication of any revised Economic Strategy of the Welsh Government? (WAQ71933)
Answer received on 31 January 2017
The Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Infrastructure (Ken Skates): We are developing four cross-cutting strategies that will frame our approach to delivering prosperity for all. Whilst I am leading the work on Prosperous and Secure, I am also working closely with Cabinet colleagues to ensure that all four strategies reflect and support our economic priorities. This includes promoting manufacturing as a key growth sector in the Welsh economy. We are looking to complete this work in the Spring.
To ask the Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs
Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): Will the Cabinet Secretary advise as to what action the Welsh Government is taking so to protect the welfare of animals during transport to the abattoir and throughout the process of slaughter? (WAQ71926)
Answer received on 1 Febraury 2017
Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs (Lesley Griffiths): The Wales Animal Health and Welfare Framework Implementation Plan for 2016/17 include specific actions and a description of how the Welsh Government will make progress on the welfare of animals at time of killing and during transport.
The mid-year review of the Implementation Plan will be published in February 2017.
Darren Millar (Clwyd West): What assessment has the Cabinet Secretary made of the risk to critical transport infrastructure and life should the coastal defences in Old Colwyn fail? (WAQ71936)
Darren Millar (Clwyd West): Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement on the flood related risks to the A55 trunk road and the North Wales Railway in the Old Colwyn area? (WAQ71937)
Darren Millar (Clwyd West): What action is the Cabinet Secretary taking to improve the coastal defences in Old Colwyn? (WAQ71938)
Answer received on 1 February 2017
Lesley Griffiths: The Welsh Government is working with Local Authorities planning for a £150 million capital investment in coastal risk management infrastructure. My officials are in regular contact with Conwy Council on the development of business cases for potential schemes to be considered for funding from the programme, including for improving the coastal defences at Old Colwyn. We have previously supported Conwy Council in producing a project appraisal report which assesses risk and identified preferred options for works to the whole of the Colwyn Bay waterfront.
The direct risk to people and properties is not immediate at Old Colwyn. However, without further work to maintain the defences, our assessment is there are risks over time to key infrastructure including the promenade, the main railway line and the A55 Trunk Road. The role of the coastal defences in protecting these and others assets needs to be factored into the business case and reflected in funding proposals and a partnership approach from those whose assets will benefit from reduced risk. It is essential all interested parties work towards a shared solution to manage the risk to infrastructure at this location.
To ask the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government
Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): Will the Cabinet Secretary advise as to how the £10 million transitional relief scheme for small business will work, and clearly outline the criteria that business will have to reach so to benefit? (WAQ71934)
Answer received on 1 February 2017
Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government (Mark Drakeford): The transitional rates relief will assist ratepayers in receipt of Small Business Rates Relief (SBRR) on 31 March 2017 who would be adversely affected by increases in their rateable value following the revaluation on 1 April 2017. Subject to a minimum increase in liability of £100, this relief will be applied automatically to eligible ratepayers’ bills, enabling them to phase in any increases in the amount they have to pay over a three-year period. Under this relief ratepayers will pay 25% of any increased liability in year one, 50% in year two and 75% in year three. The scheme is being fully funded by the Welsh Government.
To ask the Cabinet Secretary for Education
Darren Millar (Clwyd West): Will the Cabinet Secretary clarify the Welsh Government's student support arrangements for postgraduate courses commencing in the 2017/18 academic year? (WAQ71935)
Answer received on 31 January 2017
The Cabinet Secretary for Education (Kirsty Williams): I am committed to ensuring postgraduate students have access to appropriate support and consulted on proposals last year.
I expect to be able to announce that the Welsh Government will implement a support scheme for 2017/18 very shortly. This will be subject to appropriate legislation being made by the National Assembly in April of this year. Full and final details of the scheme will be made public when legislation is made.
The Diamond review comprehensively addressed the issue of postgraduate support. I have made public my response to those recommendations, including that students should be entitled to the same level of support as undergraduate students.