, Plenary
Statement by the First Minister: Government priorities
Thanks very much. Our focus will be on the bread-and-butter issues that matter to the public in Wales. What we know is that there is immense pressure on the health service. It’s not a situation that’s unique to Wales, and it’s clear we’re not going to fix the…
, Plenary
Statement by the First Minister: Government priorities
Thanks very much, Gareth, and it was great to spend quite a lot of time in north Wales, listening to the people in north Wales about what their concerns were, and they're not that different, frankly, from the concerns we heard across the rest of Wales, but it…
, Plenary
Statement by the First Minister: Government priorities
Thank you very much. Well, the major difference now is partnership in power, and that's what we've got under a Labour Government. The fact that we have had so many interactions already with Ministers in the UK Labour Government demonstrates the sea change…
, Plenary
Statement by the First Minister: Government priorities
What I will offer is hope for the future, hope to the people of Wales who have been through a really tough time. They've been through Brexit; they've been through austerity; they've been through COVID. They want to see a new chapter in the history of this…
, Plenary
Statement by the First Minister: Government priorities
What we know is there was a £22 billion black hole. That has had a consequence for us here in Wales. It's had a direct consequence for us, and what we know—[Interruption.]
, Plenary
Statement by the First Minister: Government priorities
Well, thanks very much. I think it's expected that we've had this cynical and negative reaction from Plaid Cymru. The fact is that, in that exercise, where, genuinely, hundreds of people were engaged, unfiltered, unplanned, where they told us face to face…
, Plenary
Statement by the First Minister: Government priorities
Well, I've got to tell you, these are the priorities that come from the public, and, if you don't like them, you need to go out and speak to the public. Because this is important, to recognise that the things that we've stated here very clearly are the things…
, Plenary
Statement by the First Minister: Government priorities
Inflation-busting increases in pay for public sector workers aren't just numbers. This is real, hard-earned money in the pockets of people who work tirelessly, day in and day out, in our precious public services, and they deserve our support. They are the…
, Plenary
Statement by the First Minister: Government priorities
Today, we have the best opportunity in more than 14 years to realise our ambitions for Wales. For too long, Conservative-led Westminster Governments have stifled our devolved powers and tried to temper our ambitions at every opportunity. But now we have…
, Plenary
Statement by the First Minister: Government priorities
'The language of priorities is the religion of socialism.' That's what Aneurin Bevan said. I believe in those words. That's what we're going to do in Government: determine what our priorities will be.
, Plenary
Statement by the First Minister: Government priorities
I have appointed a Minister for Delivery, who will help to drive this change. Over the next few weeks, we will develop a comprehensive list of what will be delivered, by when, and by whom, within the financial resources that we have available. Then, the…
, Plenary
Statement by the First Minister: Government priorities
Diolch yn fawr, Dirprwy Lywydd. When I stood before you six weeks ago, I promised to be a First Minister who listens, but I made it clear that I want to listen not just to those with the loudest voices or those with the most power, but to everyone to ensure…
, Plenary
Motion to approve the nomination of a Counsel General
I nominate Julie James for the role of Counsel General, and I ask Members to support her nomination.
, Plenary
Motion to suspend Standing Orders
Formally.
, Plenary
Questions to the First Minister
Thanks very much. I obviously have to declare an interest in relation to this surgery, because it serves many members of my family. The decision on what happens in relation to how health is organised is one for the health board, and there are established…
, Plenary
Questions to the First Minister
Since 2022, the number of patient pathways waiting over two years has reduced by 80 per cent in Hywel Dda health board. However, there is more to be done. Through the targeted intervention escalation, my officials are working closely with the health board to…
, Plenary
Questions to the First Minister
Thanks very much. It was very much my pleasure, along with the Deputy First Minister, to go and open formally that Rhydaman flood alleviation scheme last week, a £6 million investment. As you say, lots of people are benefiting from that. I think we've got to…
, Plenary
Questions to the First Minister
This financial year, 2024-25, we are investing a record £75 million under our flood and coastal erosion risk management programme. This includes allocating more than £8.2 million capital funding for risk management authorities in Mid and West Wales to…
, Plenary
Questions to the First Minister
Well, thanks very much, Mike. You'll be aware that the Deputy First Minister will be making a statement today on cleaning our rivers, lakes and seas, where I'm sure he will go into more detail and can answer the question in much more detail than I'm able to…
, Plenary
Questions to the First Minister
Welsh Government is taking an integrated catchment approach to improve water quality in our rivers, co-operating with all sectors involved. We've also made available over £40 million of additional funding between 2022 and 2023 and 2024-25, to address…
, Plenary
Questions to the First Minister
Thanks very much. Well, I'm certainly not making any economic commitments to this programme. Our budget is very stretched, and we have to work out exactly what the priorities are. Speaking more generally about transport in the area, Transport for Wales are…
, Plenary
Questions to the First Minister
Thanks. Again, I think it's important for me not to be drawn into any planning issues, but the Cardiff parkway proposal is for a new station at St Mellons. I don't accept your proposition that Transport for Wales is not performing well. In fact, it's the best…
, Plenary
Questions to the First Minister
Well, thanks very much. It's obviously not appropriate for me to comment on a live planning case, but what I can tell you is that now that my new Cabinet's in place, a Cabinet Secretary will be allocated to the case in the next week, so that they can be…
, Plenary
Questions to the First Minister
The Cardiff parkway planning application is under active consideration and a decision will be issued in due course.
, Plenary
Questions to the First Minister
I must say, it's better that they're having something, and today they are having more than anything that they are having in England as a result of 14 years of Tory Government. But let me tell you that it is important. I do recognise that we do need to look at…
