Speeches by Tufnell.

“First, do you think that that increased burden on independent practices will result in further consolidation of the market? Secondly, what do you think the impact will be on the workforce as a result of that, which are already under stress as we discussed previously?”

“Well, if we take some recommendations that the CMA said, we have: provide itemised bills; treatments, and services; provide a list—”

“What about the second part of what I was suggesting?”

“Yes.”

“From the CMA, if you require additional powers.”

“How can you enforce the proposals?”

“That was going to be my second part of the question. Can I just push you a little on the first part? You are feeding into Cabinet Office and we are at a place now where the UK has not been feeding in that data, therefore EU regulations have been formed and morphed without reference to specific UK conditions, whether th…”

“On that second bit that you were just mentioning, the EU understanding is that there are currently reforms looking at the simplification of pesticide regulations. I am getting from your answer earlier that it is the end of this process in terms of the UK feeding into those reforms.”

“I appreciate that some questions you may have addressed in your previous answers and the difficulties you have faced. You will be aware that there has been active and passive divergence from the EU. If you look particularly at issues such as plant protection products and biopesticides, there is a potential impact on ar…”

“Does that take place once the agreement is in place?”

“Yes.”

“We have talked a lot about the delay or potential delay and difficulty of finding parliamentary time for the Veterinary Services Act. My understanding is the proposals from the CMA envisage an expanded role for the RCVS, which would require additional powers. What are you going to do in the meantime?”

“You have the added pressure on the veterinary practices, which we just discussed, and you said you would bring industry with you. I also referenced the potential impact on the workforce, which we have already discussed, as a result of these measures that are brought in by the CMA.”

“Well, you have touched on it a lot already, and particularly in respect to the cost of living issue with domestic pets. It is something like a 63% increase since 2016. The other issue that we raised with the CMA that we have not touched upon is the change in the practices. I have stats that show that 89% of the veterin…”

“I want to touch on access to healthcare. To begin with, could I have the views of both of you on whether you think there is adequate provision for prisoners, prison leavers and Welsh women who are serving in England?”

“We have heard that there are no women’s prisons in Wales. Eastwood Park is a good example of where lots of Welsh women prisoners go. Have you been to Eastwood Park? Have you explored what kind of opportunities those women in prisons in England are provided with to maintain those cultural links, the Welsh language and t…”

“In the previous session, we touched on family ties and other close networks. Do you think there is a correlation between the increases in self-harm and substance misuse, and the sheer distance between Welsh women and their own communities?”

“Thank you. Mr Hall, I think you held a roundtable on this issue. And you referenced continuity. Could you comment more on the national, joined-up strategy, in respect of access to healthcare provision?”

“So your recommendation would be to move away from that health board model to more of a national co-ordinator?”

“Can I follow up on that point about self-harm? The statistics show that Eastwood Park and Styal accounted for more than 10,000 of what was nearly 17,000 self-harm incidents on the women’s estate between January 2024 and September 2024. This year, HMP Styal was also found to have the highest number of positive drug test…”