, Finance Committee
Motion under Standing Order 17.42(ix) to resolve to exclude the public from the remainder of this meeting
We'll now go into private session. So, I propose, in accordance with Standing Order 17.42, that the committee resolves to exclude the public from the remainder of this session. Is everyone content? I see that they are. Thank you very much.
, Finance Committee
Scrutiny of the Welsh Government Draft Budget 2024-25: Evidence session 1
Thank you very much for appearing before us this morning, and thank you for your time. Again, apologies to those at home who have failed to be able to watch this live, but it will be available to watch back later. But there will also be a transcript available…
, Finance Committee
Scrutiny of the Welsh Government Draft Budget 2024-25: Evidence session 1
Okay. Thank you.
, Finance Committee
Scrutiny of the Welsh Government Draft Budget 2024-25: Evidence session 1
Okay. Thank you. Rhianon, with, I think, probably your final question, is it?
, Finance Committee
Scrutiny of the Welsh Government Draft Budget 2024-25: Evidence session 1
So, in the same way as the NHS, if you're putting money into it, you expect to see improvements.
, Finance Committee
Scrutiny of the Welsh Government Draft Budget 2024-25: Evidence session 1
Just before you carry on, Rhianon, one thing that we haven't touched on, and I'm conscious that it's in the public discourse, is the trains, the Transport for Wales funding, compared to buses. Obviously, in a cost-of-living crisis and poverty, people tend to…
, Finance Committee
Scrutiny of the Welsh Government Draft Budget 2024-25: Evidence session 1
Okay, thank you. Rhianon.
, Finance Committee
Scrutiny of the Welsh Government Draft Budget 2024-25: Evidence session 1
Thank you. Mike. Hang on. There we are. Go for it.
, Finance Committee
Scrutiny of the Welsh Government Draft Budget 2024-25: Evidence session 1
Because some would have had the same situation last year.
, Finance Committee
Scrutiny of the Welsh Government Draft Budget 2024-25: Evidence session 1
And from that fairness point of view, is that something that becomes more of a principle thing, that, going forward—? And local authorities might be seeing even worse, potentially, next year. Would it be something that you'd want to maintain?
, Finance Committee
Scrutiny of the Welsh Government Draft Budget 2024-25: Evidence session 1
And that funding gap has been found from central funds, then, so it hasn't been top-sliced from—.
, Finance Committee
Scrutiny of the Welsh Government Draft Budget 2024-25: Evidence session 1
Before you move on, Rhianon, I think the local government settlement was announced about half an hour ago. Just shortly, do you want to just let us know what were some of the assumptions you made? You've talked about a floor in the documentation; if you could…
, Finance Committee
Scrutiny of the Welsh Government Draft Budget 2024-25: Evidence session 1
Rhianon.
, Finance Committee
Scrutiny of the Welsh Government Draft Budget 2024-25: Evidence session 1
So, do you expect—? Seeing as we're making that significant investment—the best part of £800 million going into the NHS over the last two announcements—I would think it's reasonable to expect the NHS to improve over time. I'm seeing you nodding, so I'm…
, Finance Committee
Scrutiny of the Welsh Government Draft Budget 2024-25: Evidence session 1
I'm sure the BBC can wait. [Laughter.] Rhianon.
, Finance Committee
Scrutiny of the Welsh Government Draft Budget 2024-25: Evidence session 1
Thank you. And over to Rhianon. I think we might run over by about five minutes, if that’s okay, Minister.
, Finance Committee
Scrutiny of the Welsh Government Draft Budget 2024-25: Evidence session 1
Okay, thank you.
, Finance Committee
Scrutiny of the Welsh Government Draft Budget 2024-25: Evidence session 1
Thank you. Laura. There we are.
, Finance Committee
Scrutiny of the Welsh Government Draft Budget 2024-25: Evidence session 1
Okay. I know that Rhianon wanted to come in just briefly, and then we'll move on with your questions, Laura. Thanks.
, Finance Committee
Scrutiny of the Welsh Government Draft Budget 2024-25: Evidence session 1
—but if I could, with the impact on some of those cultural organisations, like the national library and others. The impact—and you talked about the impact there—the impact of a 10 per cent cut could well be job losses. In rural Wales, in particular, and…
, Finance Committee
Scrutiny of the Welsh Government Draft Budget 2024-25: Evidence session 1
Yes. Just—. I don't know if you were going to follow up on this—
, Finance Committee
Scrutiny of the Welsh Government Draft Budget 2024-25: Evidence session 1
Thank you. Laura.
, Finance Committee
Scrutiny of the Welsh Government Draft Budget 2024-25: Evidence session 1
Just before you carry on, Laura, the cynic in me always says that if you put pots together, you make a cut at the same time—it doesn't look the same. Is there a guarantee that the money is still there, and it's just in the administration that you're making…
, Finance Committee
Scrutiny of the Welsh Government Draft Budget 2024-25: Evidence session 1
Okay. Thank you very much. Laura, your set of questions.
, Finance Committee
Scrutiny of the Welsh Government Draft Budget 2024-25: Evidence session 1
And then you've used £20 million of that, effectively, to create the fund.
