Matthew Jones

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1. 7. Reform UK Debate: Prostate cancer strategy en

   I'm grateful for the opportunity to speak on this really important issue today. There's real excitement across the cancer charity sector and the cancer workforce because a long-term cancer strategy is a chance to set a new course for patients in Wales. This is a critical moment for how we want to see cancer outcomes improve over the coming years, and I welcome every opportunity to discuss what the strategy should look like, because we will all know someone who is told that they have cancer in their lifetime, if not ourselves. Cancer will affect one in two people. The figures for prostate cancer are particularly shocking. Prostate cancer will affect one in eight men. For black men, it's one in four. And for men who have a family history of particular cancers or who carry the BRCA2 gene variant, they face a significantly higher risk. Reducing this inequality and the many other inequalities in cancer diagnosis and care must be a focus of the strategy. The Welsh Government has set itself an ambitious timetable, aiming to publish the strategy on World Cancer Day next year. That is commendable and shows the urgency that is needed. It will be Wales's first national cancer strategy since 2006. And as chair of the cross-party group on cancer, which everyone here is welcome to join—I've e-mailed some of you separately; you're all welcome—I'm not aware of any plans for the strategy, as it is at the moment, to focus on any site-specific cancers, which the debate tabled today calls for, but with such a tight deadline, the strategy must build on existing groundwork. There are already national optimal pathways shaped by clinical specialists and best practice that set out how people with suspected site-specific cancers, including prostate cancer, should be treated and supported, but too many people are not being served quickly and effectively by these pathways. There's often a backlog for diagnosis and waits for treatment often depend on surgical space and workforce availability. As a result, only one in three people with prostate cancer start treatment within 62 days, when the target is 75 per cent. The strategy must not be a 'one and done'. Too many quality statements and short-term plans have sat on the shelf after publication. This strategy must be a living thing. It must give every national optimal pathway, including for prostate cancer, the chance to work to its full potential and actively unblock the barriers holding them back. Alongside this, it must improve access to clinical trials, awareness of signs and symptoms and so much more, like data and workforce. All these things are vital. I'd like to acknowledge the amendment tabled by Paul Davies, and I share the urgency behind it. General screening for all men is still not recommended by the UK National Screening Committee based on the evidence currently available, but that evidence is moving. In May, the committee recommended targeted screening every two years for men aged 45 to 61 who carry the BRCA gene variant and have a family history of breast, ovarian, pancreatic or prostate cancer, and the UK Government has accepted that. So, I'd like to ask the Minister: when will this be in place in Wales and will the new strategy commit to it? I also stand with colleagues in calling for research to go further and faster and for more men to know of their family history. For men facing a prostate cancer diagnosis, support and time to make decisions about their care are essential, but time is not always a luxury patients have. The earlier a diagnosis is made, the more treatment options are available. I hope today's discussion can focus our minds on a near future where prostate cancer is diagnosed quickly and early, where innovative treatments are available and where patients can look forward to life after cancer or to live well for decades to come. Diolch yn fawr.

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2. 8. Welsh Labour Debate: The M4 around Newport en

   What made you personally change your mind from June last year, when you voted against it, and January this year when you voted against an M4 relief road?

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1. 1. Questions to the First Minister cy

   8. Pa gamau mae'r Llywodraeth yn eu cymryd i wella ac integreiddio cysylltiadau trafnidiaeth gyhoeddus yn Sir Fynwy Torfaen? OQ64704

   Official English translation

   8. What action is the Government taking to improve and integrate public transport links in Sir Fynwy Torfaen? OQ64704

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2. 1. Questions to the First Minister en

   Diolch, Brif Weinidog. The transport Minister's announcement last week shows that this Government is willing to tackle transport issues that have previously been kicked down the road. Now, this is an opportunity to vastly improve public transport throughout Monmouthshire and Torfaen. Because when people have the option of quick, frequent and reliable public transport, they'll take it, especially if it's convenient and affordable. Now, previous south Wales metro reports have proposed upgrading to transport services, with more frequent trains between Abergavenny and Cardiff and rapid bus transport from Monmouth to Newport. So, will this Government's fresh look at transport in the south-east of Wales look to provide convenient and affordable public transport, including, if I may, rapid bus transport between towns in Sir Fynwy Torfaen, more frequent trains between Abergavenny and Cardiff, and more reliable trains to and from Chepstow, Severn Tunnel Junction and the much-anticipated Magor and Undy station? Diolch.

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1. 1. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Health and Care en

   Gweinidog, getting to and from appointments using NHS-provided transport or public transport is a significant challenge in Sir Fynwy Torfaen, as we've just heard, and one that affects those who are already the most vulnerable. I've heard accounts of constituents who have been unable to secure transport home from hospitals after treatment, and even having to pay for hotels just to make early appointments. For those without enough money to pay or without supportive friends and family, appointments can be missed, and people struggling may have to pay large sums for taxis. For those less well-off, the effects are severe. So, what steps is the Government taking to make sure the most vulnerable in our society can get to and from essential appointments and treatments safely? Diolch.

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2. 8. Reform UK Debate: Access to HMOs and social housing for foreign nationals en

   Just a quick one, sorry. Just to look at the actual wording of the motion, which says that you would 'end access to HMOs and social housing for foreign nationals'. I just wanted to pick up on a point that I would have said earlier on. I believe you're Canadian originally, so—. Well, sorry, I'm not sure. Or there are other members of your group who weren't necessarily from here. [Interruption.] But this motion—. Originally, originally. But this motion would say—

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3. 8. Reform UK Debate: Access to HMOs and social housing for foreign nationals en

   Yes, originally.

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4. 8. Reform UK Debate: Access to HMOs and social housing for foreign nationals en

   Sorry, sorry. The point I'm trying to make, and I'll try to make it succinctly, is that under this, if this passed, you would not be allowed to be in a HMO. Is that right, that you would not be allowed to live in a HMO?

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5. 8. Reform UK Debate: Access to HMOs and social housing for foreign nationals en

   I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I didn't know that. I didn't mean to offend you.

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1. 1. Questions to the First Minister en

   Diolch, Brif Weinidog. Access to essential services is a major concern for many of my constituents in Monmouthshire, and the statistics back that up. Some of the most pressing issues found in the Welsh index of multiple deprivation statistics include access to pharmacies, GPs, local shops and childcare. These services are often twice as hard to reach in rural areas as the national average. The challenges are hard to tackle, but there are communities working to do this. What is the Welsh Government doing to address these wide-ranging problems in rural areas like Monmouthshire?

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1. 2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability en

   I welcome your rapid first steps on the climate and nature action plan for Wales, because if we're going to meet net zero by 2040 and achieve substantial nature recovery by 2050, we'll need to keep moving quickly and effectively, because the pace at which nature is declining in recent years is truly alarming. Since before the election, I've been in touch with groups like Save the River Usk, who are not just bringing much-needed attention to the subject but also building up detailed data sets at a grass-roots level, providing crucial local insights about the impact of the climate and nature crisis. You've said that the Government's new climate and nature board will reflect the experiences and priorities of people and communities across Wales. Will there be a role for informed and organised groups, like Save the River Usk, on the board so that their local knowledge and experience can be harnessed? Diolch.

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1. 9. Short Debate: The unacceptable pause in scheduled treatment for trans patients en

   I thank Anthony for this debate. I want to begin by thanking you, Mabon, the Minister. I value every conversation that we've had and I recognise your commitment to standing up for trans people and trying to make sure that this situation is resolved. Also, to all Government Ministers, it's clear that you support trans people. But this decision was made by the NWJCC at arm's length from the Government, and the NWJCC has urgent questions to answer. Its lack of transparency is highly concerning. More than three weeks ago, I wrote, with backbenchers, to the NWJCC with urgent questions about the decision and how people would be supported. We've had no reply. A recent virtual briefing on the pause raised more questions than answers. These have not been answered yet. And today, the NWJCC sent some Members a list of FAQs about its review process, but not to me—I've had to have it from another Member. The FAQs raise even further questions about the timeline, which I want the NWJCC to answer. If they've reviewed all the patients and are satisfied, or aren't satisfied, what next? At what point will the pause stop? Is it 10 patients, or 60? Is it for patients registered for surgery in 2027? Many people have put their lives on hold, including taking months off work to recover after surgery. Their health, livelihoods and finances are all now in limbo. We must reassure a community already experiencing fear and anxiety, made worse because the NWJCC has not publicly or adequately explained their concerns. Any independent review must quickly provide answers to those awaiting surgery and restore confidence across the wider trans community. Diolch.

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1. 1. Questions to the First Minister en

   First Minister, Monmouthshire has faced catastrophic flooding in recent years, and I was pleased that you were able to visit Monmouth and Abergavenny before the Senedd elections to speak to some of the local people affected, as well as to those finding solutions—long-lasting solutions—upstream. The scenes from last year’s flooding, especially those from Monmouth, will be etched in the memory of everyone who saw them for a long time. These once in 100 years events are getting more and more frequent, and we must now assume that they could happen at any time. As we've heard, the approaching El Niño event is on the horizon, with extreme weather events already anticipated, so, with this in mind, how is the Government improving flood preparedness for this winter? And in the longer term, how can we learn from the experiences of Monmouthshire residents to improve flood management for their community and for all of Wales? Diolch.

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2. 2. Questions to the Counsel General cy

   3. Pa gyngor cyfreithiol y mae’r Cwnsler Cyffredinol wedi’i roi i’r Llywodraeth ar amddiffyn cymhwysedd deddfwriaethol y Senedd lle mae safbwyntiau Llywodraeth Cymru a Llywodraeth y DU yn wahanol? OQ64507

   Official English translation

   3. What legal advice has the Counsel General provided to the Government regarding maintaining the Senedd’s legislative competence where the Welsh Government and UK Government's views differ? OQ64507

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3. 3. Business Statement and Announcement en

   Trefnydd, we know that many people were preparing for surgery when they heard, by word of mouth or by social media, that their surgeries under the Welsh Gender Service had been paused during the Senedd's summer recess. One of my constituents was actually in hospital for surgery when they were told that their operation was cancelled, with no further support provided since then. You'll know that I've written, with other Members, to the NHS Wales Joint Commissioning Committee, who were responsible for this decision, asking about the evidence that informed this decision, the lack of communication with patients, and how patients' voices were not heard. I know that this decision was made by a medical body, rather than a political one, but I'd like to request a statement outlining how the Government will ensure that this community will be listened to, how their concerns will be central to any further decisions made about trans healthcare, and how they will be supported. Diolch.

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1. 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport en

   Sir Fynwy Torfaen has played an important role in the music hall of fame. Rockfield Studios near Monmouth is where Queen recorded 'Bohemian Rhapsody', where Oasis recorded (What's the Story) Morning Glory?, and where the Manic Street Preachers recorded some of their most iconic music. It's also where Coldplay and the Super Furry Animals recorded at least their first albums. The list goes on. Opportunities for upcoming artists to record their music is limited, but they also need space to perform. That's why music venues like the Dragonffli in Pontypool are vital. They give music acts a stage to grow their audience and hone their talents. They've also hosted many iconic acts there as well. The business rates cut announced yesterday will make a massive difference to music venues, but how can the Government, via Creative Wales, support opportunities both to nurture new talent and ensure that music venues across my constituency and Wales can continue to produce world-class musicians and bands?

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1. 3. Statement by the First Minister: Weather, wildfires, drought and resilience cy

   Diolch, Lywydd, a diolch yn fawr, Brif Weinidog.

   Official English translation

   Thank you, Llywydd, and thank you very much, First Minister.

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2. 3. Statement by the First Minister: Weather, wildfires, drought and resilience en

   The wildfire on Mynydd Garnclochdy near Blaenavon in Sir Fynwy Torfaen was devastating, and the effects were felt far and wide. I'd like to thank you again for coming to visit Blaenavon and meeting with the common land graziers; for listening to them and thanking them personally for everything that they did, including James Bourne, a farmer who has documented the fire's devastating impact on the land and its livestock throughout. At the height of the fire, the experience and the knowledge of James and his fellow Blorenge graziers was essential. They put themselves at great personal risk in helping firefighters navigate the land and tackle the blaze. Their experiences will be vital in learning lessons from these fires, but questions remain as to where their flocks will now graze and the support that they will receive for the recovery. So, my question is: how will the Government engage with these common land graziers to make sure that their experiences are given a fair hearing and their expertise considered in any decisions made in the wake of the summit? Diolch.

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1. 1. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Health and Care en

   Diolch, Cabinet Minister, for that answer. Aneurin Bevan University Health Board is at level 4 escalation for finance, strategy, planning and performance, as well as for urgent and emergency care outcomes. I'm deeply concerned about how this is affecting the most vulnerable patients and those waiting for planned care. Due to longer waits, people are presenting with more complex needs. One person I know of, who has been waiting for a knee replacement, recently fell and broke her hip. I'm very concerned about the long waits that patients in my constituency are facing, and I know that the planned budget, which was voted against last night by Reform and Labour, proposed £145 million to alleviate waiting lists across Wales. What is the Government going to do now to improve the situation for vulnerable patients in Sir Fynwy Torfaen and the wider Aneurin Bevan University Health Board?

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1. 1. Questions to the First Minister cy

   3. Pa ddadansoddiad y mae'r Llywodraeth wedi ei wneud o effaith cynllun gwariant ar amddiffyn Llywodraeth y DU ar gyllideb cyfalaf Llywodraeth Cymru? OQ64409

   Official English translation

   3. What analysis has the Government made of the impact of the UK Government's defence investment plan on the Welsh Government's capital budget? OQ64409

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2. 1. Questions to the First Minister en

   Prif Weinidog, we can all see that the threats to national security are numerous, but it can't be right that Wales will be denied years of capital funding to cover the failure of consecutive UK Governments to give us an armed forces fit for the future. Once again, the needs of Wales have been, at best, an afterthought. Thirty one of 32 schools in Torfaen require urgent maintenance, and there's a £5 million backlog for repairs in Monmouthshire schools. The money we will lose will directly affect areas like mine, and this means that issues that need to be addressed urgently will have to be pushed back. So, bearing this in mind, how will the First Minister keep making the case to the UK Government to redress this? Diolch.

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1. 9. Short Debate: Health inequalities in the south Wales coalfield cy

   Diolch yn fawr iawn am y cyfle i drafod mater sydd yn hollbwysig i fi, sef yr anghydraddoldebau iechyd sy'n bodoli yn yr ardaloedd glo. Byddaf i’n rhoi munud o fy amser, a gobeithio mwy, i Sera Evans, yn dibynnu ar ba mor hir dwi'n parablu ymlaen. Mae'r angen i daclo'r anghydraddoldebau hyn yn ein cymunedau ni yn un o'r rhesymau blaenaf y penderfynais i sefyll fel Aelod o'r Senedd, ac rwy'n ddiolchgar iawn i'r Ymddiriedolaeth Adfywio Meysydd Glo am eu cefnogaeth wrth baratoi i'r ddadl hon.

   Official English translation

   Thank you very much for the opportunity to discuss a matter that is hugely important to me, namely the health inequalities that exist in coalfield areas. I will give a minute of my time, hopefully more, to Sera Evans, depending on how long I go on for.  The need to tackle these inequalities in our communities is one of the main reasons that I decided to stand as a Member of the Senedd, and I'm grateful to the Coalfields Regeneration Trust for their support in preparing for this debate.

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2. 9. Short Debate: Health inequalities in the south Wales coalfield en

   With a population of around 750,000, almost a quarter of Wales's population live in the south Wales coalfield areas, covering much of the Valleys, extending from Carmarthenshire in the west to Torfaen, the eastern valley. This area has been slower to recover from the decline of the coal industry than many other former coalfield areas in Britain. The former coalfield community in my constituency extends down from Blaenavon to Pontypool, with a population of almost 25,000. Pontypool, my bro fy mebyd, and communities across Torfaen are proud places with a strong history and identity. Post-industrial communities like these have yet to fully recover from Thatcher's de-industrialisation. Austerity has only made this worse. In this area, inequalities are clear to see. They're a living scar. To highlight some of the inequalities, I've seen data that compares the two council areas within my constituency. These comparisons are not intended to dismiss the very real challenges faced in Monmouthshire, but to illustrate the inequalities that exist between neighbouring communities. Cancer incidence in the Torfaen coalfield wards is higher than the rest of my constituency. Similarly, chronic conditions are 5 per cent more common in the Torfaen wards. Mental health conditions are present in a third of GP cases in the Torfaen wards. Premature deaths and long-term illness are much higher in Torfaen than in Monmouthshire. So too are personal independence payment and universal credit claimants. This makes the residents in Torfaen much more vulnerable to UK Government benefit changes. But every statistic represents a person who may be struggling to find work, or a family who may be struggling with the health of one or more of its members, a child going to school hungry.

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3. 9. Short Debate: Health inequalities in the south Wales coalfield en

   Two points that are particularly important to me, which have had a direct impact on my family, and I'd like to reflect on, are cancer and mental health. People in the most deprived communities are more likely to be diagnosed with cancer and significantly more likely to die from it. The evidence shows that lower screening uptake and wider social inequalities continue to drive these outcomes. In a previous life, I worked on a campaign to increase the uptake of screening for breast cancer in Wales. This need still remains. When it comes to mental health, the picture is not as clear because data is patchy at best, as we heard yesterday. What's more, official statistics don't encourage us to look at mental health through the lens of the former coalfield communities. But the evidence we do have points in a clear direction. A 2026 study, published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, found that people living in areas with a stronger history of coal mining in Wales reported poorer mental health than people living in non-coalfield areas. That link was strongest amongst the generations who lived through the decline of the coal industry, but it continues to shape mental health across generations today. I was proud to hear the Deputy Minister for Social Care, Mental Health and Women’s Health yesterday outlining her commitment to improving mental health provision. We know that waiting lists for mental health services are too long, and third sector partners are playing a vital role in helping to alleviate some of these pressures, including places like Tidy Butt, a small community-based charity in Pontypool, which is providing counselling sessions to those who need support. I only wish that there were more opportunities for counselling, as we've lost too many people along the way, including in my own family. We know that health barriers do not stop at the clinic door or at the end of a waiting list. For many people, poor health is made harder by everything else going on around them: not having enough money, struggling to get to appointments, living in a home that is not suitable, feeling isolated, or simply not knowing where to turn. Take transport. In Blaenavon, people supported by the Coalfields Regeneration Trust have spoken about how difficult it can be when there is no community transport. For someone going to Velindre Cancer Centre for chemotherapy or radiotherapy, treatment can mean travelling up to five days a week for several weeks. If they rely on hospital transport, they can be picked up hours before their appointment and get home hours afterwards. And unless there's an approved clinical need, they may have to make that journey without a family member or a carer with them. For someone who is already exhausted, vulnerable and immunosuppressed, that's not a small thing. It affects their well-being, their quality of life, and sometimes even the choices they feel able to make about their treatment. This is what inequality looks like in practice. Where you live and what transport is available to you can shape your experience of cancer care. Housing is another example. The trust told me about someone they supported whose cancer treatment was put on hold because their housing was not suitable for safe treatment and recovery. In that case, the wrong home became a barrier to their healthcare. Then there's money and food. Another person supported by the Coalfields Regeneration Trust was going through cancer treatment when their household income fell because of their diagnosis. They were helped to secure a Macmillan grant, and emergency food support was arranged while longer term solutions were put in place. That kind of practical help can make a real difference. It can take away some of the pressures that are stopping people from focusing on their treatment and recovery. And I'd really like to invite the Minister to come and see some of this work that's happening. Finally, there's isolation. Often people feel anxious or overwhelmed after a diagnosis. That's especially true for people living alone, older people and those who do not have a strong support network around them. In those moments, practical help with benefits, transport, housing, money and social connection can make a real difference to someone's confidence and well-being.  There are so many more barriers that I could go into, but time is limited. I've not had the chance to talk about respiratory issues, for example, or the work that's happening as part of the Plaid Cymru Welsh Government's 100 days to improve funding of GP services, ensuring people have access to primary care when needed. But, one thing that does definitely needs mentioning is the economy. So many aspects in that vicious circle we've mentioned can be altered with an economic uplift. More local shops can make it easier for people to get those essentials, and cafes and pubs can all build communities. Local enterprise can play a key role in reducing inequalities. Coalfield areas do not lack enterprise. There are some fantastic local businesses based in Blaenavon, including a new fruit and veg shop, some amazing cafes and community enterprises, and, of course, Blaenafon Cheddar Company, which was crowned champion in the local food and drink category in the Welsh Countryside Alliance awards recently. These businesses and other entrepreneurs want to make a difference in their community. They must be supported to do so. Evidence tells us that former coalfield communities continue to face significant social, economic and health disadvantages. Lower employment, higher levels of economic inactivity linked to long-term sickness, poorer health outcomes and deeper concentrations of deprivation are not abstract policy terms, they are the lived reality of communities like those in Torfaen and across the south Wales coalfield. And, of course, not every challenge faced by former coalfield communities is unique to those communities. Poverty exists in rural Wales, in urban Wales and in communities right across the country, but what we see in the coalfield is a significant concentration of disadvantage, shaped both by present-day deprivation and by the long shadow of industrial decline. I'm so pleased that this Government has a focus on preventing ill health, because if we only intervene at the point of crisis, when somebody's already ill, already out of work, already in unsuitable housing, or already struggling to cope, then we're not tackling inequality at its root; we're simply managing its consequences. There are no quick fixes, but there is a place to start. We start by properly understanding the coalfield, its history, its strengths and the specific barriers its communities still face. We start by recognising that prevention cannot be a slogan; it has to mean shifting resources earlier, closer to communities and towards the conditions that keep people well in the first place. If we're serious about tackling inequality, then that preventative approach has to include extra effort in places where inequality is deepest. People are right to feel that they've been left behind. They're right to feel that the promises made to post-industrial communities have not always been matched by the investment, attention and ambition needed to change outcomes. Former coalfield communities do not need sympathy; they need fairness, focus and a Government willing to match the pride and resilience of those communities with the resources and long-term commitment they deserve. Diolch yn fawr.

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1. 7. Debate: Fair Funding en

   Will you take an intervention?

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1. 7. Reform UK Debate: Nation of Sanctuary en

   Will the Member take an intervention? Sorry.

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2. 7. Reform UK Debate: Nation of Sanctuary en

   Have you heard of the Good Samaritan?

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1. 1. Questions to the First Minister en

   Pontypool has suffered severely from shop closures over many years. Unfortunately, empty units have become a feature, with many absentee landlords sadly uninterested in the town's future. Many top-down regeneration efforts haven't succeeded either, despite best efforts. But there are reasons to be optimistic. Pontypool’s indoor market has unique and locally owned businesses at the heart of the town, and there are tireless volunteers, like Friends of Pontypool Town, who you met recently, Prif Weinidog, working to develop and improve facilities and support local entrepreneurs. Does the First Minister agree that local voices need to be central to the regeneration efforts of towns like Pontypool? And does he agree that compulsory purchase orders should be used to bring long-empty spaces back into use? Diolch.

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2. 4. Statement by the Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability: Priorities for Rural Resilience and Sustainability en

   Diolch, Ddirprwy Lywydd. Whether we live in rural areas or in our towns and cities, every one of us will be affected if we don't act now to build the rural resilience that you've set out today, Cabinet Minister. I know we feel that in my constituency. We need to futureproof our rural communities for the future of our food security, for clean air, for wildlife and biodiversity, for the health of our rivers, for our economy and for our culture. When it comes to these challenges in Wales, everyone really is in it together. Everyone wants the sustainable farming scheme to succeed. We all want to see TB eradicated, but nobody wants this to be a political football. Focusing on the SFS, Cabinet Minister, I've talked to you previously about quick wins that people in my rural community think should be enacted in order to encourage more people to sign up to the scheme—allowing more discretion for farmers on hedge cutting, for example, to encourage new growth, give thicker coverage for birds and increase carbon capture. I appreciate that there's an assessment being undertaken about the red tape, and I look forward to seeing what kind of things that suggests—

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3. 4. Statement by the Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability: Priorities for Rural Resilience and Sustainability en

   How are you going to communicate some of those proposed changes with the rural community? Diolch.

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1. 1. Questions to the First Minister cy

   Roeddwn i'n falch iawn i'ch croesawu chi a'r Gweinidog addysg a'r Gymraeg i Ysgol Gymraeg Gwynllyw yr wythnos diwethaf, fy hen ysgol i, Niamh Salkeld a Steffan Lewis, wrth gwrs. Mae dalgylch ysgol Gwynllyw yn un hynod o eang, ond mae anghysonder mawr rhwng telerau mynd i'r ysgol honno i ddisgyblion ôl-16. Rwy'n deall bod disgyblion o Flaenau Gwent a rhai o Dorfaen yn gymwys i deithio am ddim, ond mae disgyblion o sir Fynwy yn gorfod talu tua £600 y flwyddyn i gyrraedd yno. A yw'r Prif Weinidog yn cytuno gyda fi fod codi tâl o £600 y flwyddyn i deithio i gael addysg trwy gyfrwng y Gymraeg yn annheg, ac a wnaiff e hefyd ymrwymo i bwyso ar Gyngor Sir Fynwy i adolygu'r trefniadau hyn er mwyn sicrhau bod pob person ifanc yn cael mynediad teg ac am ddim at addysg cyfrwng Cymraeg?

   Official English translation

   I was very pleased to welcome you and the Minister for education and the Welsh language to Ysgol Gymraeg Gwynllyw last week, which was my former school and that of Niamh Salkeld and Steffan Lewis, of course. The catchment for ysgol Gwynllyw is very broad, but there is great inconsistency for post-16 students in terms of getting to that school. I understand that pupils from Blaenau Gwent and Torfaen qualify for free school transport, but pupils from Monmouthshire have to pay around £600 per annum just to get to school. Does the First Minister agree with me that charging £600 a year to travel to Welsh-medium education is unfair, and will he also commit to putting pressure on Monmouthshire County Council to review these arrangements in order to ensure that every young person has fair and free access to Welsh-medium education?

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2. 6. Statement by the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport: Priorities for Culture and Sport en

   I don't think I'm supposed to be talking on this.

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Open this sitting on the stage

1. 2. Election of the Deputy Presiding Officer under Standing Order 6 cy

   Hoffwn gynnig enw Kerry Ferguson.

   Official English translation

   I would like to nominate Kerry Ferguson.

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