Agenda and decisions

 

View Questions

 

The item started at 13.30

 

Questions 2 – 4 and 6 - 9 were asked.  Questions 1, 5 and 10 were withdrawn.

 

View Questions

 

The item started at 14.19

 

Questions 1 – 6, 8 – 9 and 11 - 15 were asked.  Questions 7 and 10 were withdrawn. Questions 1, 3, 8, 9 and 14 were answered by the Deputy Minister for Tackling Poverty.

 

View Questions

 

The item started at 15.04

 

All 4 questions were asked. 

NDM5522 Rosemary Butler (Newport West)

 

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

 

Notes the content of the UK Government’s legislative programme 2014/2015.

 

UK Government’s legislative programme:

 

https://www.gov.uk/government/topical-events/queens-speech-2014

 

Supporting documents:

 

Secretary of State’s Written Statement

Queen's Speech Bills Handout provided by the Wales Office, June 2014

Letter from the Minister for Local Government and Government Business

Research Service paper

 

The following amendments have been tabled:

 

Amendment 1 - Elin Jones (Ceredigion)

 

Add as new point at end of motion:

 

Regrets that the model of income tax devolution proposed for Wales, in the Wales Bill, is constrained by the so-called “lock-step” mechanism.

 

Amendment 2 - Elin Jones (Ceredigion)

 

Add as new point at end of motion:

 

Regrets the lack of proposals in the UK Government’s legislative programme to progress any of the areas of further devolution recommended by the second report of the Commission on Devolution in Wales.

 

Amendment 3 - Elin Jones (Ceredigion)

 

Add as new point at end of motion:

 

Believes that the UK Government's legislative programme should have included legislation to rebalance the UK economy in a way that tackles regional inequalities and promotes economic fairness.

 

Amendment 4 - Aled Roberts (North Wales)

 

Add as new point at end of motion:

 

Welcomes that the UK Government’s legislative programme will continue to build a stronger economy and a fairer society.

 

Amendment 5 - Aled Roberts (North Wales)

 

Add as new point at end of motion:

 

Welcomes the announcement in the UK Government’s legislative programme on tax-free childcare which will mean that around 83,600 families in Wales will benefit from £2,000 off the cost of their childcare.

 

Amendment 6 - Aled Roberts (North Wales)

 

Add as new point at end of motion:

 

Welcomes that the Serious Crimes Bill, following the campaign by Welsh Liberal Democrat MP for Ceredigion Mark Williams, will include provision to make it explicit that cruelty which is likely to cause psychological harm to a child is an offence.

 

Amendment 7 - Aled Roberts (North Wales)

 

Add as new point at end of motion:

 

Welcomes the revolutionary pension reforms proposed by Liberal Democrat Minister Steve Webb to be contained in the Private Pensions Bill, which will give people both freedom and security in retirement.

 

Amendment 8 - Aled Roberts (North Wales)

 

Add as new point at end of motion:

 

Welcomes that the Draft Governance of National Parks (England) & the Broads Bill will contain provisions for direct elections to National Park authorities in England, following campaigning by Welsh Liberal Democrat MP for Brecon and Radnorshire Roger Williams, and calls on the Welsh Government to implement similar reforms in Wales.

 

Amendment 9 - Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire)

 

Add as new point at end of motion:

 

Welcomes the continued commitment of the UK Government, as outlined in the legislative programme, to restore financial well-being to the UK.

 

Amendment 10 - Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire)

 

Add as new point at end of motion:

 

Believes the Bills contained within the UK Government’s legislative programme will secure a better and brighter future for the people of Wales.

 

Amendment 11 - Aled Roberts (North Wales)

 

Add as new point at end of motion:

 

Welcomes that the UK Government’s legislative programme will implement key measures to increase further the personal allowance to £10,500, building on the Liberal Democrat 2010 general election manifesto commitment to raise the income tax threshold to £10,000.

 

The item started at 15.16

 

In accordance with Standing Order 11.15 (i) the Business Committee decided that any vote necessary would take place at the end of the debate.

 

NDM5522 Rosemary Butler (Newport West)

 

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

 

Notes the content of the UK Government’s legislative programme 2014/2015.

 

The following amendments were tabled:

 

Amendment 1 - Elin Jones (Ceredigion)

 

Add as new point at end of motion:

 

Regrets that the model of income tax devolution proposed for Wales, in the Wales Bill, is constrained by the so-called “lock-step”mechanism.

A vote was taken on Amendment 1:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
40	12	0	52

Amendment 1 was agreed.

 

Amendment 2 - Elin Jones (Ceredigion)

 

Add as new point at end of motion:

 

Regrets the lack of proposals in the UK Government’s legislative programme to progress any of the areas of further devolution recommended by the second report of the Commission on Devolution in Wales.

A vote was taken on Amendment 2:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
9	26	17	52

Amendment 2 was not agreed.

 

Amendment 3 - Elin Jones (Ceredigion)

 

Add as new point at end of motion:

 

Believes that the UK Government's legislative programme should have included legislation to rebalance the UK economy in a way that tackles regional inequalities and promotes economic fairness.

A vote was taken on Amendment 3:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
35	0	17	52

Amendment 3 was agreed.

 

Amendment 4 - Aled Roberts (North Wales)

 

Add as new point at end of motion:

 

Welcomes that the UK Government’s legislative programme will continue to build a stronger economy and a fairer society.

A vote was taken on Amendment 4:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
17	0	35	52

Amendment 4 was not agreed.

 

Amendment 5 - Aled Roberts (North Wales)

 

Add as new point at end of motion:

 

Welcomes the announcement in the UK Government’s legislative programme on tax-free childcare which will mean that around 83,600 families in Wales will benefit from £2,000 off the cost of their childcare.

A vote was taken on Amendment 5:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
17	9	26	52

Amendment 5 was not agreed.

 

Amendment 6 - Aled Roberts (North Wales)

 

Add as new point at end of motion:

 

Welcomes that the Serious Crimes Bill, following the campaign by Welsh Liberal Democrat MP for Ceredigion Mark Williams, will include provision to make it explicit that cruelty which is likely to cause psychological harm to a child is an offence.

A vote was taken on Amendment 6:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
31	21	0	52

Amendment 6 was agreed.

 

Amendment 7 - Aled Roberts (North Wales)

 

Add as new point at end of motion:

 

Welcomes the revolutionary pension reforms proposed by Liberal Democrat Minister Steve Webb to be contained in the Private Pensions Bill, which will give people both freedom and security in retirement.

A vote was taken on Amendment 7:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
5	21	26	52

Amendment 7 was not agreed.

 

Amendment 8 - Aled Roberts (North Wales)

 

Add as new point at end of motion:

 

Welcomes that the Draft Governance of National Parks (England) & the Broads Bill will contain provisions for direct elections to National Park authorities in England, following campaigning by Welsh Liberal Democrat MP for Brecon and Radnorshire Roger Williams, and calls on the Welsh Government to implement similar reforms in Wales.

A vote was taken on Amendment 8:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
5	21	26	52

Amendment 8 was not agreed.

 

Amendment 9 - Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire)

 

Add as new point at end of motion:

 

Welcomes the continued commitment of the UK Government, as outlined in the legislative programme, to restore financial well-being to the UK.

A vote was taken on Amendment 9:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
17	0	35	52

Amendment 9 was not agreed.

 

Amendment 10 - Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire)

 

Add as new point at end of motion:

 

Believes the Bills contained within the UK Government’s legislative programme will secure a better and brighter future for the people of Wales.

A vote was taken on Amendment 10:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
17	0	35	52

Amendment 10 was not agreed.

 

Amendment 11 - Aled Roberts (North Wales)

 

Add as new point at end of motion:

 

Welcomes that the UK Government’s legislative programme will implement key measures to increase further the personal allowance to£10,500, building on the Liberal Democrat 2010 general election manifesto commitment to raise the income tax threshold to£10,000.

A vote was taken on Amendment 11:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
31	21	0	52

Amendment 11 was agreed.

 

A vote was taken on the motion as amended:

 

NDM5522 Rosemary Butler (Newport West)

 

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

 

1. Notes the content of the UK Government’s legislative programme 2014/2015.

 

2. Regrets that the model of income tax devolution proposed for Wales, in the Wales Bill, is constrained by the so-called “lock-step”mechanism.

 

3. Believes that the UK Government's legislative programme should have included legislation to rebalance the UK economy in a way that tackles regional inequalities and promotes economic fairness.

 

4. Welcomes that the Serious Crimes Bill, following the campaign by Welsh Liberal Democrat MP for Ceredigion Mark Williams, will include provision to make it explicit that cruelty which is likely to cause psychological harm to a child is an offence.

 

5. Welcomes that the UK Government’s legislative programme will implement key measures to increase further the personal allowance to£10,500, building on the Liberal Democrat 2010 general election manifesto commitment to raise the income tax threshold to£10,000.

 

For	Abstain	Against	Total
35	5	12	52

The motion as amended was agreed.

NDM5524 Aled Roberts (North Wales)

 

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

 

1. Supports Carers Week 2014 which recognises and celebrates the contribution of more than 370,000 unpaid carers in Wales, who provide invaluable support to family members and friends.

 

2. Notes the growing evidence on the incredibly demanding role of caring, which can have an adverse impact on the health, employment opportunities, social and leisure activities of those providing unpaid care.

 

3. Notes the findings of the 2013 ‘Prepared to Care?’ report which found that 75 per cent of carers were unprepared for a caring role and 81 per cent were not aware of the support available, which often leaves carers feeling vulnerable and isolated.

 

4. Calls on the Welsh Government to:

 

a) support an awareness campaign to encourage self-identification and access to support and improve public understanding of the role of carers;

 

b) develop information for employers to support workers seeking to balance their work and caring roles; and

 

c) work with education providers to provide more flexible provision to enable carers of all ages to access opportunities for education and training.

 

The 'Prepared to Care?' report can be found here:

 

http://www.carersweek.org/media/k2/attachments/Prepared_to_Care_FINAL.pdf

 

The following amendments have been tabled:

 

Amendment 1 - Elin Jones (Ceredigion)

 

Insert as new point 2 and re-number accordingly:

 

Notes that there are 11,000 children who are carers.

 

Amendment 2 - Elin Jones (Ceredigion)

 

Insert as new point 4 and re-number accordingly:

 

Notes that the ‘Prepared to Care?’ report identified the financial difficulties that face carers, and regrets that changes to social security entitlements have adversely affected carers and their families.

 

Amendment 3 - Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire)

 

Add as new point at end of motion:

 

Notes the importance of respite to carers and calls upon the Welsh Government to take action to establish a carers’ right to respite.

The item started at 17.20

 

Voting on the motion and amendments under this item was deferred until Voting Time.

 

A vote was taken on the motion without amendment:

 

NDM5524 Aled Roberts (North Wales)

 

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

 

1. Supports Carers Week 2014 which recognises and celebrates the contribution of more than 370,000 unpaid carers in Wales, who provide invaluable support to family members and friends.

 

2. Notes the growing evidence on the incredibly demanding role of caring, which can have an adverse impact on the health, employment opportunities, social and leisure activities of those providing unpaid care.

 

3. Notes the findings of the 2013 ‘Prepared to Care?’report which found that 75 per cent of carers were unprepared for a caring role and 81 per cent were not aware of the support available, which often leaves carers feeling vulnerable and isolated.

 

4. Calls on the Welsh Government to:

 

a) support an awareness campaign to encourage self-identification and access to support and improve public understanding of the role of carers;

 

b) develop information for employers to support workers seeking to balance their work and caring roles; and

 

c) work with education providers to provide more flexible provision to enable carers of all ages to access opportunities for education and training.

For	Abstain	Against	Total
38	0	11	49

The motion without amendment was agreed.

The item started at 18.15

NDM5523 Julie Morgan (Cardiff North)

 

Devolution: A Driver of Innovation

 

How devolution has provided the opportunity for innovative measures to be developed in Wales and how such innovations have influenced the rest of the UK.

The item started at 18.15

 

NDM5523 Julie Morgan (Cardiff North)

 

Devolution: A Driver of Innovation

 

How devolution has provided the opportunity for innovative measures to be developed in Wales and how such innovations have influenced the rest of the UK.