AMs donned windbreakers and proverbially hung around platforms as the future of rail services dominated proceedings this week. It's also a week that marks the 50th anniversary of the Aberfan disaster on Friday – with commemorations due at the Senedd tomorrow. It's budget week too and I hope to have something on that for tomorrow (Thursday at the latest).
FMQs, 18th October 2016
Party Leaders
UKIP leader, Neil Hamilton AM (UKIP, Mid & West Wales), decried Wales as having the lowest number of GPs per 1000 patients in the UK. Training places aren't being filled and there's an increase in early GP retirement. Spending on GPs has also fallen while patient consultations rise by 20%. What concrete plans and timelines have the Welsh Government come up with to train more UK doctors?
The First Minister said it “wasn't realistic“ to train every doctor that practices in Wales, with substantial numbers coming from elsewhere. Nevertheless, there's a desire to train more doctors to face challenges, but there's no “crisis”. As is usual in these discussions, he called for people to “choose well” and consider using a pharmacist or nurse to put less pressure on GPs.
Plaid Cymru leader, Leanne Wood AM (Plaid, Rhondda), focused on rail services. The forthcoming franchise needs better scrutiny as the UK Department for Transport seeks to remove certain routes, particularly those serving England. Do the four rail franchise bidders know which routes they're bidding for?
Leanne believes there's an opportunity to address overcrowding, delays and poor rolling stock on the Valley Lines, raising the prospect of dual tracking the Treherbert line to improve frequencies. The last franchise was also awarded on a “zero growth” basis, with no emphasis on improving rolling stock – how will it be addressed and does the First Minister believe travellers deserve better?
Carwyn highlighted several issues, such as the Welsh Government being prevented from both running a rail franchise or allowing it to be run by a public body - a situation that doesn't exist in Scotland. The current franchise map should stay as it is or several lines within Wales (like the Heart of Wales Line) would be run from outside the Welsh franchise. Dual track in the Rhondda was an “open question” as there are other ways to improve capacity, though he believes services should be far better, with trains lacking air conditioning and having poor capacity – these will all be addressed in franchise negotiations.
Conservative leader, Andrew Davies AM (Con, South Wales Central), referred to last week's report on the Welsh Government's free childcare policies. The report identified a possible £110million overspend; if that's the case, how are the Welsh Government finding the money to meet demand if the scheme is a success and amidst several major budget commitments – though he commended the First Minister for saying that for every commitment there'll be a cut. Where would the cuts come from though?
Carwyn thinks there were too many assumptions on how the policy would be implemented, but he didn't accept the report's figures. He believes the Welsh Government's own figures are more robust in terms of the money needed for the policy; where any cuts would fall will be outlined in the budget.
Backbenchers
Jenny Rathbone AM (Lab, Cardiff Central) asked for an update on Metro funding. Was the First Minister confident the UK Government will provide the money to deliver the Metro project on time and to the required standard?
The First Minister said the final cost will be determined as part of the procurement process, but Phase 2 of the Metro is expected to cost £734million, of which £125million in EU funding has been identified; he expects the UK Government to guarantee the EU element. If this EU funding isn't provided it may limit the reach and expansion of the Metro. There's also been regular contact between officials in Cardiff and London as many levers are non-devolved.
Bethan Jenkins AM (Plaid, South Wales West) asked about support for arts centres, when smaller local venues are one of the main ways people access performing arts. Neath Port Talbot Council have decided to close Pontardawe Arts Centre for one day a week following a subsidy cut and she was concerned it was a “slipperly slope” towards closing it on more days.
The First Minister believes Wales benefits from a network of arts centres that cover the length and breadth of the country. Ultimately the decision is matter for NPT Council, but he hopes the draft budget will give all councils comfort that they won't need to make these sort of decisions. We should also remember culture can be an economic driver beyond those things that are obvious to the public. There are also examples where communities have taken over such facilities, but it's important to distinguish between helping locals take them over and forcing them to do so via an English-style Localism Act.
Best of the rest:
- There was a question on the government's legislative programme, in particular a recently-rejected Autism Bill proposal (it was mainly a rehash of a 2015 debate and why I didn't cover it in case anyone's wondering). The government will meet with the National Autistic Society to discuss the society's draft Bill in November, however he was confident there are tools to improve lives, such as a refreshed autism plan which will include proper measurements for outcomes. There's still a desire to proceed on “smacking” legislation on a cross-party basis too - to Angela Burns AM (Con, Carms. W. & S. Pembs.).
- There's been an increase in demand for primary care services, with a domestic and international GP recruitment campaign being launched on 20th October. £42million has also been made available to health boards to support primary care. A recent critical BMA report was part of work the Welsh Government are undertaking, and they're working with BMA to reduce GP work pressures – to Dai Lloyd AM (Plaid, South Wales West).
- Regarding what steps can be taken when a community can't be connected to the Superfast Cymru broadband scheme, there are alternative options such as Access Broadband Cymru. It is, however, important BT/Openreach tells communities why it's not possible to connect them. He said it was an “interesting idea” that building regulations and Section 106 agreements could be used to ensure fibre-optic connections were provided to buildings from the street cabinet, instead of using copper wires – to Rhun ap Iorwerth AM (Plaid, Ynys Môn)
- On Welsh Government support for the National Botanical Garden in Carmarthenshire, they're currently considering the findings of a task and finish group report, and the Economy Secretary will meet with the chair and chief executive of the Garden to discuss it. It's still important the Garden seeks commercial funding, but there's a desire to work with them to secure its future – to Adam Price AM (Plaid, Carms. E & Dinefwr).
Urgent Question
In another question on rail, Russell George AM (Con, Montgomeryshire) asked about the role of the government-owned non-profit Transport for Wales in the procurement of the next Wales & Borders rail franchise – the four shortlisted candidates being named last week. He was disappointed the statement was released to the media before AMs saw it, as it's one of biggest procurement exercises in Wales, with great cross-party support to make it a success.
Economy and Infrastructure Secretary, Ken Skates (Lab, Clwyd South), said Transport for Wales' role was to provide support and expertise for the rail franchise and Metro. It currently has 22 staff and its HQ will be in the south Wales valleys once a suitable premises are identified.
There was “nothing new” in last week's announcement other than the names of the four bidders. An agreement has been reached with the UK Department for Transport on the franchise map, including the extension of services to Bristol and Liverpool; an agreement on general cross-border services is being finalised.
He was disappointed the UK Government haven't agreed to extra investment in Welsh services, as there's historic underfunding with just 1% of UK network spend is on the Welsh route; he would like to see the funding devolved.
In reply to some of the earlier questions, particularly Leanne Wood's, there's a desire for four trains-per-hour on each of the Valley Lines. The bidders are working on technical details, which will go out for a 12 week consultation by Transport for Wales. Further talks with the bidders will take place in January 2017, with a final tender process between July-September. The contract will be awarded by the end of 2017 with services starting in 2018; the Metro element is expected to be completed by 2023.
Written Question of the Week
Russell George AM also asked about financial literacy advice offered to students before they go to university, including advice on student debts. This was subject to a Bill in the Fourth Assembly which didn't go forward.
Education Secretary, Kirsty Williams (Lib Dem, Brecon & Radnor), said financial literacy was a “government priority” and they're committed to refreshing the current financial literacy strategy, the core themes of which were established in March 2016, including: access to affordable credit, access to financial information (including debt advice) and building understanding. A delivery plan will be published by the end of the year.
Universities are obligated to provide financial information to prospective students and this is offered via marketing, at open days etc. They also provide services during their studies on budgeting, hardship grants and increasing incomes, redirecting students to relevant charities and advice bodies when necessary. The government are also working with the Student Loans Company to make information relating to loans and repayments easier to understand.
Statement of Opinion of the Week
Today is Anti-Slavery Day, and Joyce Watson AM (Lab, Mid & West Wales) wanted the Assembly to acknowledge that dangers still remain – despite being abolished two centuries ago - in the form of modern slavery and human trafficking. The statement also called for AMs to note the Welsh Government's work with the police and various other organisations to clamp down on it. At time of posting it's received 8 signatures.
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