National Assembly for Wales

The number of Ministerial journeys without a Minister present is already in the public domain in the form of responses to Freedom of Information requests. The information not in the public domain is below:

We signpost to the SME Climate Hub on our Business Wales website - https://businesswales.gov.wales/news-and-blogs/news/sme-climate-hub

https://businesswales.gov.wales/news-and-blogs/news/uk-business-climate-hub

In addition we have our own specialist sustainability support, which is available through Business Wales, such as Business Wales Resource Efficiency Advisors and the Green Growth Pledge, which are open to all Welsh SMEs regardless of their industry sector.

We have supported 2,895 businesses to adopt or improve environmental sustainability strategies, including the Green Growth Pledge, from 2016 to August 2021.

The Welsh Government’s skills offer has an important part to play in the retrofit programme.

We are working  alongside CITB, Regional Skills Partnerships (RSPs) and Qualifications Wales, to undertake a skills audit/mapping exercise,  which will allow us to shape a package of support to meet the needs of the sector.

My officials meet regularly with the UK Government and other devolved governments, through the Animal Welfare Policy Group (AWPG). The purpose of the group is to facilitate a more joined-up approach based on enhanced mutual awareness and understanding while respecting animal welfare is a devolved matter.

The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Animal Activities) (Wales) Regulations 2021 came in to force on 10 September 2021. These regulations make it an offence to sell a puppy or kitten, which the seller has not bred themselves on the premises. This is another step towards ensuring the welfare of puppies and kittens, currently being bred and sold to third parties, is improved significantly by being sold only by breeders direct to the new owner.

The lure of a quick, unregulated sale attracts many unscrupulous breeders and dealers to websites and for this reason the Welsh Government, alongside the UK Government, supports the work of the Pet Advertising Advisory Group (PAAG).

I believe responsible animal ownership begins before the point of purchase. No matter what the species or breed, potential owners should complete thorough research to make an informed choice. With companion animals in particular there is always the risk of being driven by emotional or impulse purchasing.

Related to this, may I point you in the direction of our social media campaigns undertaken during the run up to Christmas 2019 and prior to Christmas 2020 #pawspreventprotect. These campaigns were designed to remind prospective purchasers of the need to do their research before buying a puppy or kitten to ensure it is done via the correct channels. We will continue to issue strong messaging and plan to relaunch our campaign again this year.

Members of the Welsh Construction Forum have been advised that the Deputy Minister for Climate Change will continue to chair the Forum and that a meeting will be arranged for later in the autumn.

The 12 step guide for Project Bank Accounts produced by Government and construction sector bodies will be launched in collaboration with the sector bodies and available on the Business Wales website in early October.

Schemes in receipt of active travel funding need to comply with the Active Travel Act Guidance.  Sections 11.14 and 11.16 set out the considerations that need to be taken into account when planning a shared use path.  The dimensions and considerations that need to be taken into account are also included in Appendix G for each specific design element.  Local authorities need to consult on schemes pre-installation, and monitor post-installation to identify if any mitigation measures are required.

The Welsh Government is not aware of any such appeals being made in the last 5 years.  It would be irregular for a Local Planning Authority to appeal against its own decision to refuse planning permission.  Planning appeals cannot be made against the grant of consent. 

I am aware of the recent case of Model Farm, where the Vale of Glamorgan Council agreed to the quashing of a consent it had granted, following Judicial Review of the decision.  This was not a planning appeal.  The Welsh Ministers had no locus in the Judicial Review process. 

The Welsh Marine Protected Area (MPA) network covers 50% of the Welsh marine zone with 139 designated sites. Each MPA is designated to protect specific geographical features, species and habitats.

Activities, such as personal watercraft, rigid hull inflatable boats and small pleasure craft, can and do operate within MPAs.  However, NRW conduct indicative feature condition assessments for the Welsh MPA network. Each assessment is made using readily available data to inform the status of the feature. Included in these assessments are potential threats to a feature, such as recreational activities and where the status is unfavourable, further management measures may be proposed

Many recreational activities can and do operate within MPAs, however, they may need to be managed and/or adjusted to avoid any adverse effect upon the designated feature of the site. Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 it is illegal to intentionally or recklessly disturb marine species such as dolphins and whales.   

In 2018, the Welsh Government launched the MPA Network Management Framework and annual action plan to ensure our MPA network is effectively managed. Protection and management of our MPAs is designed to maintain or achieve favourable condition for each site and is determined by the sensitivity of their designated features to human activities. The MPA Network Action Plan outlines measures we will take to improve management of our MPA network.

Accompanying this are a number of marine codes which cover the coast of Wales and outline actions marine users should take in each of the areas they cover. These are distributed as appropriate throughout the areas they cover and are available publically through the ‘Wild Seas Wales’ website.

The Welsh Government takes a risk-based approach to fisheries management and enforcement in our MPAs, based on likely interactions between fishing gear types and protected features irrespective of vessel size.

All features within sites are assessed against potential harm from these activities and management provisions are proposed where necessary. For fisheries, in scenarios where there is evidence to demonstrate potential harm to a feature, it is possible to manage impacts within sites using mechanisms such as Fishing Orders. For example, the Scallop Order (2010) prohibits scallop dredging within 1 nautical mile of the Welsh coast and extends protection to include many of our coastal MPAs.

Wales is supporting the UK approach to combine the cetacean and seabird bycatch plans into one UK Bycatch Mitigation Initiative (BMI). The BMI will describe and implement practical and effective methods to improve monitoring and mitigation of sensitive species in UK waters. This will also align with the Ecosystem Objective under the Fisheries Act 2020. Policies for achieving, or contributing to the achievement of, the Fisheries Objectives will be set out in a Joint Fisheries Statement, which is currently being developed by all four Administrations.

The Welsh Government has published its approach to improving cancer outcomes in the form of a Quality Statement for Cancer. This new approach was set out in A Healthier Wales and confirmed in the National Clinical Framework. The Quality Statement for Cancer takes over from the Cancer Delivery Plan for Wales. It sets out what good cancer services look like and describes our policy intentions with regard to the development of cancer services.

Health boards and trusts in Wales plan and deliver clinical services and will therefore respond to the Quality Statement for Cancer through the reintroduction of the Integrated Medium Term Planning process and any local underpinning planning processes. Health board and trust delivery will then be monitored through the routine accountability processes that have been put in place by the Welsh Government.

As set out in the National Clinical Framework, the Wales Cancer Network will establish a ‘Board’ arrangement to take over from the Cancer Implementation Group. The Wales Cancer Network Board will eventually form part of the NHS Executive function; however, in the meantime it will continue to be accountable to the Chief Executive of NHS Wales. The wider Wales Cancer Network is made up of members of the health boards, trusts and special health authorities.

While the onus is on health boards and trusts to respond with their own planning, the Wales Cancer Network Board will have an important role in bringing NHS bodies together to work toward common ends, collaborate where required and to generally support implementation of the Cancer Quality Statement. This will require the Wales Cancer Network to develop an enabling plan but only for those aspects of the Cancer Quality Statement that require national leadership and coordination.

The Welsh Government has published its approach to improving cancer outcomes in the form of a Quality Statement for Cancer. This new approach was set out in A Healthier Wales and confirmed in the National Clinical Framework. The Quality Statement for Cancer takes over from the Cancer Delivery Plan for Wales. It sets out what good cancer services look like and describes our policy intentions with regard to the development of cancer services.

Health boards and trusts in Wales plan and deliver clinical services and will therefore respond to the Quality Statement for Cancer through the reintroduction of the Integrated Medium Term Planning process and any local underpinning planning processes. Health board and trust delivery will then be monitored through the routine accountability processes that have been put in place by the Welsh Government.

As set out in the National Clinical Framework, the Wales Cancer Network will establish a ‘Board’ arrangement to take over from the Cancer Implementation Group. The Wales Cancer Network Board will eventually form part of the NHS Executive function; however, in the meantime it will continue to be accountable to the Chief Executive of NHS Wales. The wider Wales Cancer Network is made up of members of the health boards, trusts and special health authorities.

While the onus is on health boards and trusts to respond with their own planning, the Wales Cancer Network Board will have an important role in bringing NHS bodies together to work toward common ends, collaborate where required and to generally support implementation of the Cancer Quality Statement. This will require the Wales Cancer Network to develop an enabling plan but only for those aspects of the Cancer Quality Statement that require national leadership and coordination.

The Welsh Government has published its approach to improving cancer outcomes in the form of a Quality Statement for Cancer. This new approach was set out in A Healthier Wales and confirmed in the National Clinical Framework. The Quality Statement for Cancer takes over from the Cancer Delivery Plan for Wales. It sets out what good cancer services look like and describes our policy intentions with regard to the development of cancer services.

Health boards and trusts in Wales plan and deliver clinical services and will therefore respond to the Quality Statement for Cancer through the reintroduction of the Integrated Medium Term Planning process and any local underpinning planning processes. Health board and trust delivery will then be monitored through the routine accountability processes that have been put in place by the Welsh Government.

As set out in the National Clinical Framework, the Wales Cancer Network will establish a ‘Board’ arrangement to take over from the Cancer Implementation Group. The Wales Cancer Network Board will eventually form part of the NHS Executive function; however, in the meantime it will continue to be accountable to the Chief Executive of NHS Wales. The wider Wales Cancer Network is made up of members of the health boards, trusts and special health authorities.

While the onus is on health boards and trusts to respond with their own planning, the Wales Cancer Network Board will have an important role in bringing NHS bodies together to work toward common ends, collaborate where required and to generally support implementation of the Cancer Quality Statement. This will require the Wales Cancer Network to develop an enabling plan but only for those aspects of the Cancer Quality Statement that require national leadership and coordination.

The Welsh Government has published its approach to improving cancer outcomes in the form of a Quality Statement for Cancer. This new approach was set out in A Healthier Wales and confirmed in the National Clinical Framework. The Quality Statement for Cancer takes over from the Cancer Delivery Plan for Wales. It sets out what good cancer services look like and describes our policy intentions with regard to the development of cancer services.

Health boards and trusts in Wales plan and deliver clinical services and will therefore respond to the Quality Statement for Cancer through the reintroduction of the Integrated Medium Term Planning process and any local underpinning planning processes. Health board and trust delivery will then be monitored through the routine accountability processes that have been put in place by the Welsh Government.

As set out in the National Clinical Framework, the Wales Cancer Network will establish a ‘Board’ arrangement to take over from the Cancer Implementation Group. The Wales Cancer Network Board will eventually form part of the NHS Executive function; however, in the meantime it will continue to be accountable to the Chief Executive of NHS Wales. The wider Wales Cancer Network is made up of members of the health boards, trusts and special health authorities.

While the onus is on health boards and trusts to respond with their own planning, the Wales Cancer Network Board will have an important role in bringing NHS bodies together to work toward common ends, collaborate where required and to generally support implementation of the Cancer Quality Statement. This will require the Wales Cancer Network to develop an enabling plan but only for those aspects of the Cancer Quality Statement that require national leadership and coordination.

The Welsh Government has published its approach to improving cancer outcomes in the form of a Quality Statement for Cancer. This new approach was set out in A Healthier Wales and confirmed in the National Clinical Framework. The Quality Statement for Cancer takes over from the Cancer Delivery Plan for Wales. It sets out what good cancer services look like and describes our policy intentions with regard to the development of cancer services.

Health boards and trusts in Wales plan and deliver clinical services and will therefore respond to the Quality Statement for Cancer through the reintroduction of the Integrated Medium Term Planning process and any local underpinning planning processes. Health board and trust delivery will then be monitored through the routine accountability processes that have been put in place by the Welsh Government.

As set out in the National Clinical Framework, the Wales Cancer Network will establish a ‘Board’ arrangement to take over from the Cancer Implementation Group. The Wales Cancer Network Board will eventually form part of the NHS Executive function; however, in the meantime it will continue to be accountable to the Chief Executive of NHS Wales. The wider Wales Cancer Network is made up of members of the health boards, trusts and special health authorities.

While the onus is on health boards and trusts to respond with their own planning, the Wales Cancer Network Board will have an important role in bringing NHS bodies together to work toward common ends, collaborate where required and to generally support implementation of the Cancer Quality Statement. This will require the Wales Cancer Network to develop an enabling plan but only for those aspects of the Cancer Quality Statement that require national leadership and coordination.

The assessment for increasing healthcare support for people with Long Covid was made in partnership with health boards and healthcare professionals. That assessment resulted in the provision of £5m (2021/22) for the Adferiad (Recovery) programme. This funding has been allocated to health boards, who are expanding their service provision to meet demand. Health boards will be reporting back on the outcomes of the Adferiad programme at the end of the year in order that a further assessment can be made. We continue to base our support for people with Long Covid on new learning and research.

Substantive response

Substantive response