Agenda and minutes

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The item started at 13.30

To the Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Infrastructure:

Adam Price (Carmarthen East and Dinefwr): Will the Cabinet Secretary give a statement on reports that Ford plans to cut over 1,000 jobs from its engine plant in Bridgend?

The Presiding Officer will call Party Spokespeople to ask questions without notice to the Cabinet Secretary after Question 2.

 

View Questions

The item started at 13.57

 

The first 7 questions were asked. Question 3 was answered by the Minister for Skills and Science. The Presiding Officer invited party spokespeople to ask questions to the Cabinet Secretary after Question 2.

The Presiding Officer will call Party Spokespeople to ask questions without notice to the Cabinet Secretary after Question 2.

 

View Questions

The item started at 14.52

 

The first 7 questions were asked. Question 3 was answered by the Minister for Social Services and Public Health. The Presiding Officer invited party spokespeople to ask questions to the Cabinet Secretary and the Minister after Question 2.

 

The item started at 15.45

 

Vikki Howells made a statement on Ramblers Cymru.

 

Nick Ramsay made a statement on Skin Care Cymru’s ‘Don’t Be A Lobster’ campaign.

 

Sian Gwenllian made a statement on Shiromini Satkunarajah.

 

The item started at 15.51

 

NDM6245 Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Notes Wales's prominent contribution to the industrial revolution, to the creation of the National Health Service and its leading role in the development of secondary education provision.

2. Regrets:

a) that recent GVA statistics released in December 2016 show that GVA per head in Wales in 2015 was 71 per cent of the UK average, the lowest amongst the devolved countries and English regions;

b) that patients in Wales will wait substantially longer for diagnosis and treatment than they would for the same conditions in England and Scotland; and

c) Wales's most recent performance in the OECD's 2015 Programme for International Student Assessment, published in December 2016, which revealed that scores in maths, reading, and science were lower in 2015 than in 2006, and lower than the UK average.

3. Recognises:

a) the essential role of education and skills as an important driver to improve Wales's economic productivity levels;

b) the need for sustained improvement in Welsh waiting times for diagnosis and treatment; and

c) the potential of the blue and green economy in ensuring the future economic prosperity of Wales.

'Regional gross value added (GVA) and sub-regional gross value added, December 2016'

'OECD Programme for International Student Assessment 2015'

The following amendment has been tabled:

Amendment 1. Jane Hutt (Vale of Glamorgan)

Delete point 2 and replace with:

Notes:

a) the unemployment rate in Wales has fallen to 4.4%, lower than the UK average;

b) recently-published OECD healthcare quality indicators show Wales is performing at a similar level or better than other countries in the UK on the majority of indicators;

c) the 2015/16 GCSE exam results for Wales show the main performance measure has increased each year since records began in 2006-07, while the attainment gap between pupils eligible for free school meals and their fellow pupils is closing.

'OECD healthcare quality indicators'

'Examination Results in Wales 2015/16'

The item started at 16.20

 

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

 

A vote was taken on the motion without amendment:

 

NDM6245 Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Notes Wales's prominent contribution to the industrial revolution, to the creation of the National Health Service and its leading role in the development of secondary education provision.

2. Regrets:

a) that recent GVA statistics released in December 2016 show that GVA per head in Wales in 2015 was 71 per cent of the UK average, the lowest amongst the devolved countries and English regions;

b) that patients in Wales will wait substantially longer for diagnosis and treatment than they would for the same conditions in England and Scotland; and

c) Wales's most recent performance in the OECD's 2015 Programme for International Student Assessment, published in December 2016, which revealed that scores in maths, reading, and science were lower in 2015 than in 2006, and lower than the UK average.

3. Recognises:

a) the essential role of education and skills as an important driver to improve Wales's economic productivity levels;

b) the need for sustained improvement in Welsh waiting times for diagnosis and treatment; and

c) the potential of the blue and green economy in ensuring the future economic prosperity of Wales.

For	Abstain	Against	Total
23	0	25	48

The motion without amendment was not agreed.

 

The following amendment was tabled:

 

Amendment 1. Jane Hutt (Vale of Glamorgan)

Delete point 2 and replace with:

Notes:

a) the unemployment rate in Wales has fallen to 4.4%, lower than the UK average;

b) recently-published OECD healthcare quality indicators show Wales is performing at a similar level or better than other countries in the UK on the majority of indicators;

c) the 2015/16 GCSE exam results for Wales show the main performance measure has increased each year since records began in 2006-07, while the attainment gap between pupils eligible for free school meals and their fellow pupils is closing.

A vote was taken on Amendment 1:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
25	0	23	48

Amendment 1 was agreed.

 

A vote was taken on the motion as amended:

 

NDM6245 Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Notes Wales's prominent contribution to the industrial revolution, to the creation of the National Health Service and its leading role in the development of secondary education provision.

2. Notes:

a) the unemployment rate in Wales has fallen to 4.4%, lower than the UK average;

b) recently-published OECD healthcare quality indicators show Wales is performing at a similar level or better than other countries in the UK on the majority of indicators;

c) the 2015/16 GCSE exam results for Wales show the main performance measure has increased each year since records began in 2006-07, while the attainment gap between pupils eligible for free school meals and their fellow pupils is closing.

3. Recognises:

a) the essential role of education and skills as an important driver to improve Wales's economic productivity levels;

b) the need for sustained improvement in Welsh waiting times for diagnosis and treatment; and

c) the potential of the blue and green economy in ensuring the future economic prosperity of Wales.

For	Abstain	Against	Total
25	7	16	48

The motion as amended was agreed.

 

NDM6244 David J Rowlands (South Wales East)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Believes that, although zero-hours contracts can benefit employers and workers in the freedom and flexibility they can offer, they can also create problems relating to reliability of income, security of employment, employment status and the balance of power between employer and employee.

2. Notes that, for the majority of those employed on zero-hours contracts, this freedom is more illusory than real and, for those who need a minimum number of working hours per week to ensure financial security for their family, life on a zero-hours contract is one of almost permanent uncertainty;

3. Notes that, for those who have had their hours reduced or changed because of a perceived unwillingness to work the hours their employer requires or following the lodging of a workplace complaint, this uncertainty can be coupled with the anxiety that comes from exploitation.

4. Believes that working on zero hours contracts has the potential to:

a) create a life of stress;

b) impact negatively on the management of household budgets;

c) impinge on family commitments;

d) undermine employment rights and relations; and

e) complicate access to tax credits and other benefits, the continued rise of which is a growing concern.

The following amendments were tabled:

Amendment 1. Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)

Delete point 1 and replace with:

Believes that the potential variability of work and earnings as a result of zero hour contracts can be a source of financial instability and stress and that unfair employment terms and conditions can have a negative impact on staff morale and productivity in a way that leads to a poorer quality service.

Amendment 2. Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire)

Delete points 2, 3 and 4 and replace with:

Notes that employment practices are rapidly changing, including an increase in zero hours contracts, self-employment and short-term 'gig' work.

Recognises the work carried out by the UK Government to clamp down on abuses in zero-hours contracts, including the banning of exclusivity clauses.

Welcomes the UK Government's commissioning of the Taylor Review on Modern Employment Practices which will consider the implications of new forms of work on workers' rights and responsibilities.

'Press release - Taylor review on modern employment practices launches'

[If Amendment 2 is agreed, Amendment 4 will be de-selected]

Amendment 3. Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)

Add as new point after point 3 and renumber accordingly:

Regrets that attempts by Plaid Cymru to ban zero hour's contracts in various sectors on five different occasions during the fourth Assembly were voted down by the Labour Welsh Government and Welsh Conservatives.

Amendment 4. Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)

In point 4, add as new sub-point:

'lead to a poorer quality service.'

Amendment 5. Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)

Add as new point at end of motion:

Calls upon the Welsh Government to ban the use of zero hours contracts in all devolved Welsh public services.

Amendment 6. Jane Hutt (Vale of Glamorgan)

Add as new points at end of motion:

Recognises the action the Welsh Government is taking to address the use of zero hours contracts in social care.

Welcomes the work of the Workforce Partnership Council in this area, which led to the publication of the Public Services Staff Commission's principles and guidance on the appropriate use of non-guaranteed working hours arrangements in devolved public services in Wales.

'Principles and Guidance on the appropriate use of non-guaranteed working hours arrangements in devolved public services in Wales'

Amendment 7. Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)

Add as new point at end of motion:

Ensures that the use of zero-hour contracts, including specifying this through any services that are procured, is prohibited in the Assembly.

The item started at 17.15

 

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

 

A vote was taken on the motion without amendment:

 

NDM6244 David J Rowlands (South Wales East)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Believes that, although zero-hours contracts can benefit employers and workers in the freedom and flexibility they can offer, they can also create problems relating to reliability of income, security of employment, employment status and the balance of power between employer and employee.

2. Notes that, for the majority of those employed on zero-hours contracts, this freedom is more illusory than real and, for those who need a minimum number of working hours per week to ensure financial security for their family, life on a zero-hours contract is one of almost permanent uncertainty;

3. Notes that, for those who have had their hours reduced or changed because of a perceived unwillingness to work the hours their employer requires or following the lodging of a workplace complaint, this uncertainty can be coupled with the anxiety that comes from exploitation.

4. Believes that working on zero hours contracts has the potential to:

a) create a life of stress;

b) impact negatively on the management of household budgets;

c) impinge on family commitments;

d) undermine employment rights and relations; and

e) complicate access to tax credits and other benefits, the continued rise of which is a growing concern.

For	Abstain	Against	Total
6	0	42	48

The motion without amendment was not agreed.

 

The following amendments were tabled:

 

Amendment 1. Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)

Delete point 1 and replace with:

Believes that the potential variability of work and earnings as a result of zero hour contracts can be a source of financial instability and stress and that unfair employment terms and conditions can have a negative impact on staff morale and productivity in a way that leads to a poorer quality service.

A vote was taken on Amendment 1:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
32	0	16	48

Amendment 1 was agreed.

 

Amendment 2. Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire)

Delete points 2, 3 and 4 and replace with:

Notes that employment practices are rapidly changing, including an increase in zero hours contracts, self-employment and short-term 'gig' work.

Recognises the work carried out by the UK Government to clamp down on abuses in zero-hours contracts, including the banning of exclusivity clauses.

Welcomes the UK Government's commissioning of the Taylor Review on Modern Employment Practices which will consider the implications of new forms of work on workers' rights and responsibilities.

A vote was taken on Amendment 2:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
10	0	38	48

Amendment 2 was not agreed.

Amendment 3. Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)

Add as new point after point 3 and renumber accordingly:

Regrets that attempts by Plaid Cymru to ban zero hour's contracts in various sectors on five different occasions during the fourth Assembly were voted down by the Labour Welsh Government and Welsh Conservatives.

A vote was taken on Amendment 3:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
7	6	35	48

Amendment 3 was not agreed.

 

Amendment 4. Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)

In point 4, add as new sub-point:

'lead to a poorer quality service.'

A vote was taken on Amendment 4:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
32	6	10	48

Amendment 4 was agreed.

 

Amendment 5. Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)

Add as new point at end of motion:

Calls upon the Welsh Government to ban the use of zero hours contracts in all devolved Welsh public services.

 

A vote was taken on Amendment 5:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
13	0	35	48

Amendment 5 was not agreed.

 

Amendment 6. Jane Hutt (Vale of Glamorgan)

Add as new points at end of motion:

Recognises the action the Welsh Government is taking to address the use of zero hours contracts in social care.

Welcomes the work of the Workforce Partnership Council in this area, which led to the publication of the Public Services Staff Commission's principles and guidance on the appropriate use of non-guaranteed working hours arrangements in devolved public services in Wales.

A vote was taken on Amendment 6:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
26	5	17	48

Amendment 6 was agreed.

 

Amendment 7. Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)

Add as new point at end of motion:

Ensures that the use of zero-hour contracts, including specifying this through any services that are procured, is prohibited in the Assembly.

 

A vote was taken on Amendment 7:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
12	1	35	48

Amendment 7 was not agreed.

 

A vote was taken on the motion as amended:

 

NDM6244 David J Rowlands (South Wales East)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Believes that the potential variability of work and earnings as a result of zero hour contracts can be a source of financial instability and stress and that unfair employment terms and conditions can have a negative impact on staff morale and productivity in a way that leads to a poorer quality service.

2. Notes that, for the majority of those employed on zero-hours contracts, this freedom is more illusory than real and, for those who need a minimum number of working hours per week to ensure financial security for their family, life on a zero-hours contract is one of almost permanent uncertainty;

3. Notes that, for those who have had their hours reduced or changed because of a perceived unwillingness to work the hours their employer requires or following the lodging of a workplace complaint, this uncertainty can be coupled with the anxiety that comes from exploitation.

4. Believes that working on zero hours contracts has the potential to:

a) create a life of stress;

b) impact negatively on the management of household budgets;

c) impinge on family commitments;

d) undermine employment rights and relations;

e) complicate access to tax credits and other benefits, the continued rise of which is a growing concern; and

f) lead to a poorer quality service.

 

5. Recognises the action the Welsh Government is taking to address the use of zero hours contracts in social care.

Welcomes the work of the Workforce Partnership Council in this area, which led to the publication of the Public Services Staff Commission's principles and guidance on the appropriate use of non-guaranteed working hours arrangements in devolved public services in Wales.

For	Abstain	Against	Total
33	0	15	48

The motion as amended was agreed.

 

The item started at 18.12

 

NDM6243 Jayne Bryant (Newport West)

 

Enriching Lives of Carers: Caring for those that Care

The item started at 18.18

NDM6243 Jayne Bryant (Newport West)

Enriching Lives of Carers: Caring for those that Care