15 October 2024 , Plenary
Statement by the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs: Circular economy opportunities and outcomes of Circular Economy Hotspot Cymru 2024
Carolyn, thank you very much indeed. It's such an important point. We keep on looking—. We have traditionally—we don't anymore in Wales—looked at waste as an unfortunate byproduct that goes somewhere and disappears, but actually it's a valuable commodity if…
15 October 2024 , Plenary
Statement by the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs: Circular economy opportunities and outcomes of Circular Economy Hotspot Cymru 2024
Shwmae. Can I first of all join with you in congratulating the people of Wales? We talk about third sector partners, local authorities, the business community as well. But, actually, it’s the people of Wales as well who've done the heavy lifting on this and…
15 October 2024 , Plenary
Statement by the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs: Circular economy opportunities and outcomes of Circular Economy Hotspot Cymru 2024
Delyth, thank you very much. Today, shwmae, Delyth.
15 October 2024 , Plenary
Statement by the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs: Circular economy opportunities and outcomes of Circular Economy Hotspot Cymru 2024
Thank you, Dirprwy Lywydd. That consultation was on the basis of glass all in. It was the UK Conservative Government at that time that changed their mind. And we have to ask why, because all the evidence, not only in terms of litter and recycling, but…
15 October 2024 , Plenary
Statement by the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs: Circular economy opportunities and outcomes of Circular Economy Hotspot Cymru 2024
I don't mind, Dirprwy Lywydd.
15 October 2024 , Plenary
Statement by the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs: Circular economy opportunities and outcomes of Circular Economy Hotspot Cymru 2024
Sam, diolch yn fawr iawn. Can I, first of all, open just by saying thank you for your support for the work that we have done over a long time, now, actually, to drive us up to the genuinely global-leading nation that we are in recycling and reuse? We have…
15 October 2024 , Plenary
Statement by the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs: Circular economy opportunities and outcomes of Circular Economy Hotspot Cymru 2024
So, there’s much more to do, but we should be celebrate that recycling is now part of who we are as a nation. It is also a platform upon which we can lead the next industrial revolution in the same way we did in the last, and grow green jobs for the future…
15 October 2024 , Plenary
Statement by the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs: Circular economy opportunities and outcomes of Circular Economy Hotspot Cymru 2024
Wales indeed has an incredible story to tell on the circular economy, of how our nation has transformed since devolution. Our approach to a circular economy today has evolved from the sustainable development approach we have taken to waste management since…
15 October 2024 , Plenary
Statement by the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs: Circular economy opportunities and outcomes of Circular Economy Hotspot Cymru 2024
Thank you, Dirprwy Lywydd, and shwmae, all. Last week, I was proud to open the international Circular Economy Hotspot Cymru event. Wales was selected as the European host in recognition of our good practice and status as a global exemplar. The conference was…
9 October 2024 , Plenary
Debate on petition P-06-1474, 'Stop Natural Resources Wales closing Bwlch Nant yr Arian, Coed y Brenin & Ynyslas visitor centres'
Dirprwy Lywydd, diolch yn fawr.
9 October 2024 , Plenary
Debate on petition P-06-1474, 'Stop Natural Resources Wales closing Bwlch Nant yr Arian, Coed y Brenin & Ynyslas visitor centres'
I can understand why concerns were raised because people feel passionately about the way these facilities make it easier for us to enjoy the open air and the wonderful natural environment that we have in a quiet way or a more energetic way too. We share that…
9 October 2024 , Plenary
Debate on petition P-06-1474, 'Stop Natural Resources Wales closing Bwlch Nant yr Arian, Coed y Brenin & Ynyslas visitor centres'
I’ve heard that concern expressed as well, and I think NRW will hear that clearly as well. They are very keen to explore with all partners the sustainable continued running of these centres and facilities, and I think they will have heard the call to make…
9 October 2024 , Plenary
Debate on petition P-06-1474, 'Stop Natural Resources Wales closing Bwlch Nant yr Arian, Coed y Brenin & Ynyslas visitor centres'
We'll all be aware of last week's debate regarding the Climate Change, Environment and Infrastructure Committee's annual scrutiny of Natural Resources Wales. In that debate, I mentioned Natural Resources Wales's 'Case for Change' being needed to support a…
9 October 2024 , Plenary
Debate on petition P-06-1474, 'Stop Natural Resources Wales closing Bwlch Nant yr Arian, Coed y Brenin & Ynyslas visitor centres'
Thank you, Dirprwy Lywydd, and thank you very much to the Members who have participated in this debate this afternoon. I am very grateful to the Petitions Committee and the Chair, indeed, for bringing this issue forward for debate. I'd like to start by…
9 October 2024 , Plenary
Topical Questions
Thank you, Gareth. First of all, can I just pay tribute to those who campaign on this issue of water quality? Because they hold not just our, but the water companies and the regulator and everybody involved's feet firmly to the fire, and so they should as…
9 October 2024 , Plenary
Topical Questions
Diolch yn fawr iawn, Delyth. Thank you for raising the fact that this is, in some ways, not out of the blue. It is a reflection of historic underinvestment in significant parts of some antiquated infrastructure. We share the disappointment of the public here…
9 October 2024 , Plenary
Topical Questions
Diolch, Delyth. I am actively engaging with Ofwat, the independent economic regulator responsible for setting financial penalties, on their regulation. I'm also engaging with Dŵr Cymru to ensure that they take swift and robust action to deliver improvements…
9 October 2024 , Plenary
Questions to the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs
Thank you, Sam, and thank you for the letter and for the invitation to meet with you. Let me say that I'm more than happy to meet with you, but the timing is important, because I don't want to interfere with the consultation that is currently ongoing with…
9 October 2024 , Plenary
Questions to the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs
Thanks, Sam. Natural Resources Wales and its staff’s professional expertise are focused on tackling the climate, the nature and the pollution emergencies that face us. Acknowledging financial challenges, it is currently undertaking a comprehensive review of…
9 October 2024 , Plenary
Questions to the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs
In all our discussions with the Treasury, we've been very focused—and my thanks, as well, to the Cabinet Secretary for finance and his predecessor—in stressing the importance of the sustainability of Welsh farming and land management. You will appreciate…
9 October 2024 , Plenary
Questions to the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs
Thank you, Laura. Inheritance tax is non-devolved. In March 2023, His Majesty’s Treasury issued a consultation on environmental land management taxation, including agricultural property relief. My officials were engaged with their UK counterparts on this at…
9 October 2024 , Plenary
Questions to the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs
7. What discussions has the Cabinet Secretary had with UK Government Ministers about the impact of potential changes to inheritance tax on agricultural businesses in Wales? OQ61651
9 October 2024 , Plenary
Questions to the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs
Sioned, thank you for that question. I think you've raised a fascinating area. I came across some of that work, and I don't think it was the same people, but, curiously, in a timber conference in Swansea, where they had a stall with hemp. Now, I knew hemp…
9 October 2024 , Plenary
Questions to the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs
Thank you very much, Sioned. Through Farming Connect and our agricultural support schemes, we continue to support farmers to improve the technical, financial and environmental performance of their businesses.
9 October 2024 , Plenary
Questions to the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs
Thank you, Jenny, and I think you usefully shatter that false dichotomy between farming and climate resilience, or farming and biodiversity, or farming and nature. Actually, the best farmers are doing incredible work at the moment in doing all of that and…
