QUESTIONS TO MINISTER FOR NATURAL RESOURCES
Dog Welfare
14:11
Janet Finch-Saunders
Minister, there’s a huge increase in the theft of dogs. For many pet owners, their dog is, quite simply, irreplaceable, yet only 3 per cent of dog thefts in Wales have resulted in someone being charged. Recently, I heard of a spaniel bitch and seven puppies being stolen, and we’re even hearing now of properties being marked, with people going back at a later date to steal these dogs. These dogs are, obviously, very much part of the family, and it’s very distressing. I understand that, I think, about 500 dogs have been stolen in Wales. What are you doing, in terms of working with the RSPCA, local authorities and the police, to ensure that there is some enforcement in this regard, because it is becoming a very, very serious problem?
14:11
Rebecca Evans
I thank you for that question. Clearly, it would be extremely distressing for people if they had any of their pets stolen—not least a dog, as a dog lover myself. I will discuss this in my meeting with the police lead on animal welfare in due course; I’m intending to meet with him shortly. Also, our work that we’re doing on introducing compulsory microchipping will, I hope, help us in future, in terms of reuniting owners with dogs but also providing evidence when dogs have been stolen.
QUESTIONS TO MINISTER FOR COMMUNITIES & TACKLING POVERTY
New UK Government
14:19
Janet Finch-Saunders
Minister, last week saw the election of a strong Conservative Westminster Government committed to rewarding those who work hard with ambition, aspiration and achievement, and those who play by the rules. This Government supports those earning less than £12,500, or working for 30 hours on the minimum wage, that they should be taken out of income tax altogether. Also, they are committed to providing 30 hours of free childcare for three and four-year-olds, allowing parents back into work. Minister, do you not think it’s the responsibility of you, the First Minister and this Governemnt to embrace these initiatives in order to support working households, allowing parents back into work? Do you not agree that this is one way to eradicate poverty in Wales, or do you believe that it’s better to leave people floundering, dependent on the benefits system?
14:20
Lesley Griffiths
This Welsh Labour socialist Government will certainly not be embracing Tory policy. We have many policies and programmes ourselves that help parents into work. We support them with childcare. We do all we can to ensure that the housing stock that we have in Wales is fit for people to live in—so, I’m sorry, I will take no lessons from any Tory.
URGENT QUESTION TO MINISTER FOR HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES: Out of Hours GP Services North Wales
15:09
Janet Finch-Saunders
I have to say, it is really disappointing that it’s taken a leaked report for us to be able to highlight and bring these concerns. These concerns are very important to the people in north Wales, and, indeed, to patients within my own constituency, but, within the report, 84 per cent of respondents said that they felt that the service was not safe, 80 per cent expressed dissatisfaction, and, in fact, almost every area of service failed to meet the 2006 Welsh Government standards, and the provision of out-of-hours services are ultimately under-staffed, with serious management issues. I was shocked to read that three nurses have been suspended on full pay for the past three years. Other major failings identified include problems with leadership, low morale, lack of effective education, and problems filling rotas. Haven’t we heard all this before?
The report findings have resulted, Presiding Officer, in 41 recommendations, including the need for an urgent review of management systems.
Yes. Minister, you’ve failed—Deputy Minister and Minister—you’ve failed to act when Betsi Cadwaladr university health board first showed signs that its maternity services were struggling with the very same issues. Why has it been a leaked report? There is a problem with leadership there. You seem to be ignoring that. Now, you have the powers and you have the authority to intervene. You have the mandatory and statutory powers to do this. How bad do things have to get within my local health board and the people of north Wales before you actually show some action, or is the leadership problem a matter for your Welsh Government?
15:11
Vaughan Gething
Well, I don’t think that morale in the service is going to be helped by the way in which the—by the lip-smacking relish with which some politicians tear into the service and misquote parts of the report.
15:11
Janet Finch-Saunders
I am not relishing this.
15:11
Vaughan Gething
The issues around safety relate to staff numbers and leadership, and there is a real leadership challenge, but the suggestion that 84 per cent of people think the service is unsafe all the time is simply not correct. It is really unfortunate and misleading. There is a serious debate to be had about the quality of out-of-hours services, the changing nature of demand, and what we need to see happen across Wales. The manner in which this report has been addressed today in this Chamber does nothing to help that. I really do think that it’s important that we get to what needs to be done, and recognise the health board itself recognised there was a problem. They commissioned a report in January, it’s been provided to staff within the out-of-hours service in March, and they are coming forward with an action plan. This is not something that’s taking months and months and years and years to recognise and deal with.