Obviously the big story today is the OECD's PISA 2015 results – I'm pushing to get something done for tomorrow but I'm currently unwell 😰. In the meantime, there's the penultimate FMQs of 2016 with PISA featuring heavily as you might expect.
FMQs, 6th December 2016
Party Leaders
Plaid Cymru leader, Leanne Wood AM (Plaid, Rhondda), went straight for PISA, asking whether Labour would accept responsibility for the results? The results are worse than a decade ago with pupils, parents and teachers deserving the improvements that were promised. Leanne also accused the First Minister of having a record of shifting goalposts; in October 2014, Labour set a target of being in the top 20 of the world in 2016 but that was dropped. She asked whether the other target of averaging 500 points by 2021 was still a commitment?
The First Minister acknowledged that despite improvements in maths, the results were a disappointment. We have to recognise the OECD has itself said Wales is “on the right journey” and it's important to continue. Nobody can accept the situation as it is, but if you look at GCSE results they're improved greatly and are encouraging. The performance gap in PISA is closing and he was confident the next set of results (in 2018/19) will show further improvement.
Conservative leader, Andrew Davies AM (Con, South Wales Central), opted to ride Carwyn hard. Labour should be “embarrassed” by the results, which are a damning indictment of Carwyn's failure as First Minister and Labour's ability to lead in education. He called for the First Minister to “show some humility”, stop referring to the 1980s and stop writing off a generation. The First Minister once described education as the key to unlocking the success of the Welsh economy, why hasn't that key turned? “Give us some vision”, so we're not in the same place in three years time.
Carwyn accepted there was no room for complacency. However, while the standard of teaching when he went to school was good, the schools themselves were crumbling. He questioned whether the Conservatives even had an education policy other than cutting schools budgets by 20%, describing Andrew's contributions as the “clanging of an empty vessel”. He repeated the OECD's assessment that Wales should stick with what we're doing.
UKIP leader, Neil Hamilton (UKIP, Mid & West Wales), returned to the Article 50 Supreme Court case. He's read the Welsh Government's submission, which he believes ignores the mandate people gave the UK Government to trigger Article 50. Nothing in the relevant Acts of Parliament refer to Article 50, and trying to frustrate the process was “absolutely disgraceful”.
The First Minister said he wasn't a Supreme Court judge and Neil wasn't a lawyer....though Carwyn was left red-faced when Neil reminded him that he himself is/was a barrister. We'll all have to wait and see who's correct, but the First Minister mocked Nigel Farage's threat to lead a march of 100,000 people to the Supreme Court – which didn't happen. The case was important in terms of what it means for the devolved legislatures and needs to be solved as a matter of law with respect the use of royal prerogative powers; it won't overturn the referendum result.
All in all, Carwyn was rattled today.
Backbenchers
Llyr Gruffydd AM (Plaid, North Wales) asked what assessment the First Minister had made on the effect of bank closures on businesses (see also : Senedd Spanks The Banks)? A Federation of Small Business report demonstrated closures directly impact businesses, resulting in earlier closing times, having to travel further to bank their cash takings and restricting access to loans – which fall substantially in areas where banks have closed.
The First Minister acknowledged branch closures are a commercial matters for banks, but he understands the effect they have on communities. The Welsh Government have ensured funding is available to Post Offices in rural areas to provide bank services, but it's important – even in light of falls in visits to branches - banks make sure cash-dealing services are available, whether through Post Offices or via another method.
Gareth Bennett AM (UKIP, South Wales Central) asked for an update on funding for the South Wales Metro. A UK Transport Minister advised the Welsh Government to apply for EU regional development funding, so surely Brexit would be no impediment in going ahead with the project?
Phase II of the Metro is estimated to cost £754million, though the final cost will be determined during procurement negotiations. The First Minister expects the UK Government to honour its pledge to match EU funding. Not being able to access EU funding won't block the Metro project as such, but it may mean it can't go ahead at the same speed and to the same ambition.
Best of the rest:
- On community cohesion, a national strategy was launched in 2009 and was recently updated, being delivered by 8 regional co-ordinators. There's never been an occasion in history of the islands where there's been one culture; it's always been multicultural. However, the First Minister refused to condemn recent comments by Stephen Kinnock MP rejecting multiculturalism – to Steffan Lewis AM (Plaid, South Wales East).
- The Welsh Government have actively engaged with stakeholders on its post-Brexit agricultural policy. It's a fully-devolved area, and shouldn't be seen as an opportunity to take away powers. There may, however, be a case for considering issues like animal welfare at a pan-British level, though only through agreement not by Westminster imposition. Welsh farmers also can't have any barrier to selling produce to the EU single market – to Simon Thomas AM (Plaid, Mid & West Wales)
- Ambulance service response times across Wales are “extremely positive”, exceeding their targets since the new call response system was introduced. In terms of improving and maintaining performance, the NHS needs to ensure people are properly assessed when they arrive at A&E and ensure ambulances can get away to other calls as quickly as possible – to Huw Irranca-Davies AM (Lab, Ogmore).
Urgent Questions
Firstly, Llyr Gruffydd AM asked about a recent Traffic Commissioner decision to revoke an operating licence from RJ's of Wem (more from Wrexham.com) and the impact this decision could have on bus services in north-east Wales. After the “shambles” of GHA Coaches, the last thing people need is uncertainty going into Christmas and New Year. However, a replacement contract won't start until April 2017. Where were the due diligence processes when Wrexham Council awarded the contract to RJ's?
Economy & Infrastructure Secretary, Ken Skates (Lab, Clwyd South), was working with Wrexham Council and other local authorities to help identify and support a sustainable local bus network. Everyone was aware of controversy when the contract was awarded in full knowledge the directors were overseeing GHA Coaches, and some of these concerns have been around since bus deregulation. He's considering offering local authorities in north east Wales financial assistance to overcome “short-term difficulties”.
Secondly, Mark Isherwood AM (Con, North Wales) asked for a statement on Ruabon Medical Centre, which withdrew from its NHS contract following a failure to fill two doctor vacancies. Surgeries handing back contracts to a health board is a sign GP practices are at “breaking point” and several practices in north Wales are unable to fill vacancies. Health board should've stepped up to the plate in advance of these problems.
Health Secretary, Vaughan Gething (Lab, Cardiff S. & Penarth), confirmed the NHS contract in Ruabon will terminate on 31st March 2017, though Betsi Cadwaladr health board have assured patients GP services will continue and the practice won't close.
There are a number of practices under the direct management of a health board, but this applies to less than 5%. He recognised there will need to be a changes in how primary care is delivered in future. We'll see different models, whether federations, community interest companies or as part of a wider primary care team – it's not for the government to impose a single model. Also, a Ministerial task force is aiming at improving the offer for GPs in Wales.
Written Question of the Week
In an answer received on 21st November, Lynne Neagle AM (Lab, Torfaen) asked how the Welsh Government intends to monitor the new Autism Strategy to ensure consistent provision across Wales?
Minister for Public Health & Social Services, Rebecca Evans (Lab, Gower), said the strategy (which has since been published) is accompanied by a delivery plan setting out specific actions to be taken, including measurable outcomes. An advisory group – which will include people on the autistic spectrum – will monitor progress, with an annual report published. In addition, £6million will be provided over three years for a National Integrated Autism Service.
Statement of Opinion of the Week
There are no new statements of opinion, so it's for me to fill.
Unless there's a big turnaround, Swansea City are going down (and it looks like Cardiff City will have a fight to stay out of League One). After all the hype over the last few years about the economic and cultural boost having an English Premier League club brings to the city, it's time to consider what relegation to The Championship will mean.
This is the problem when you try to anchor political and economic success to sport – the good times don't last and the Premier League chews and spits out clubs year after year. American owners aren't renowned for pumping money into football clubs like the petro-barons either.
It's a typically Welsh story too; the owners of a modestly successful and otherwise well-run local concern opt to take the money and run during a “wobble” instead of making proper investments, only to see everything they've worked to build slowly run into the ground under new owners.
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