, Finance Committee
Welsh Government First Supplementary Budget 2023-24: Evidence session
Yes, there we are. I'll get back on track, but thank you. Actually, whilst we're talking about the reserve, obviously subject to audit, what are the provisional figures for the Wales reserve at the moment for 2023-24?
, Finance Committee
Welsh Government First Supplementary Budget 2023-24: Evidence session
So, the chances of it happening next year are limited if it's not another exceptional year.
, Finance Committee
Welsh Government First Supplementary Budget 2023-24: Evidence session
Obviously, they've allowed this relaxation for this year. How did it come about? Was it something that you requested or was it something that was volunteered, or—?
, Finance Committee
Welsh Government First Supplementary Budget 2023-24: Evidence session
And before—. I'll just bring Peter in, yes.
, Finance Committee
Welsh Government First Supplementary Budget 2023-24: Evidence session
But not substantial movement.
, Finance Committee
Welsh Government First Supplementary Budget 2023-24: Evidence session
Yes.
, Finance Committee
Welsh Government First Supplementary Budget 2023-24: Evidence session
And just on that, the question around—. Question 5, I think, in your pack, Mike, is probably pertinent at this point as well. So, what it is: the budget documentation notes that the annual draw-down limits for the Wales reserve have been waived for 2023-24…
, Finance Committee
Welsh Government First Supplementary Budget 2023-24: Evidence session
Okay. Thanks. Mike.
, Finance Committee
Welsh Government First Supplementary Budget 2023-24: Evidence session
Thank you. You were talking, in the scrutiny last year, and you mentioned managing capital budgets through over-programming and that, given inflation, you would need, nearer to the end, to consider whether projects need to be paused or delayed or even…
, Finance Committee
Welsh Government First Supplementary Budget 2023-24: Evidence session
Okay. You talked about the £28 million, and we were talking before the session started, and, Peter, you were questioning that £28 million. I wonder if you wanted to—
, Finance Committee
Welsh Government First Supplementary Budget 2023-24: Evidence session
Lovely. Thank you so much for attending this morning. I think we've got an hour or so to go through the supplementary budget. Obviously, we've heard on the news this morning about inflation staying static and there's talk of the Bank of England base rate…
, Finance Committee
Welsh Government First Supplementary Budget 2023-24: Evidence session
So, we'll move on to item 3, and we've got the Minister with us this morning on the supplementary budget. It's the first supplementary budget that we've got this morning. I wonder if you would, for the record, just introduce yourself and your officials…
, Finance Committee
Welsh Government First Supplementary Budget 2023-24: Evidence session
So, we'll move on to item 3.
, Finance Committee
Papers to note
So, we'll move on. Item 2 this morning is the papers to note. I think we'll just note them, unless anybody wants to say some anything about them. No. Great.
, Finance Committee
Introductions, apologies, substitutions and declarations of interest
A warm welcome to you all to this morning's meeting of the Finance Committee. It's great to be here with you, and we have a session with the Minister for finance this morning. But, to start, just to let you know that we'll be broadcasting live on Senedd.tv…
, Plenary
Plaid Cymru Debate: Devolution of justice and policing
But it's Labour and Tory: it's the same old story, so, there we are. The police precept element of council taxes also has increased substantially this year to counteract cuts to central funding. In Gwent, it's 6.78 per cent, and in Dyfed-Powys, 7.75 per cent…
, Plenary
Plaid Cymru Debate: Devolution of justice and policing
Let me just finish this sentence. All the police forces in Wales are having to make efficiency savings over the next few years, with South Wales Police currently facing a £20 million shortfall in its budget. Yes, Mark.
, Plenary
Plaid Cymru Debate: Devolution of justice and policing
Wales's anomalous position as a devolved nation without a legal system of its own is not simply a constitutional irregularity; it has profound and damaging consequences for the quality of justice and policing. The cost of being tied to the England and Wales…
, Plenary
Questions to the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution
I thank you for that response, although I have to say I still remain deeply concerned about what the UK Government's decision on Scotland's DRS may mean for developing an equivalent scheme here in Wales. Further, I am concerned by the process by which the…
, Plenary
Questions to the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution
Diolch, Llywydd. Cwnsler Cyffredinol, last week, the Scottish Government published a paper on devolution since the Brexit referendum, providing a neat summary of the way in which devolution has been rolled back since 2016. It makes for extremely worrying…
, Plenary
Legislative Consent Motion on the Illegal Migration Bill
I'm sorry, I'm just finishing. Finally, will the Welsh Government commit to reviewing protections for asylum seekers in Wales in light of this Bill? Diolch yn fawr.
, Plenary
Legislative Consent Motion on the Illegal Migration Bill
Every time an LCM comes before this Parliament, I say the same thing, and you've heard it already this afternoon: regardless of the subject matter, Plaid Cymru firmly believes that all decisions related to devolved areas of competence should be made by this…
, Plenary
Legislative Consent Motion on the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Bill
Plaid Cymru opposes the use of LCMs as a matter of principle. We firmly believe that decisions on areas of devolved competence should be made without exception by this Senedd. In terms of this Bill, tightening regulations to counter the influence of illicit…
, Plenary
Statement by the Deputy Minister for Social Partnership: Armed Forces Day
I was particularly interested to hear about the extra resources being invested in improving the offers for veterans and the renewed commitments to the military covenant. The issues of veterans' treatment in all aspects of public life is a bigger issue here…
, Plenary
Statement by the Deputy Minister for Social Partnership: Armed Forces Day
Thank you to the Deputy Minister for her statement.
