, Finance Committee
Motion under Standing Order 17.42(ix) to resolve to exclude the public from the remainder of this meeting
If it's okay with Members, under 17.42, can we go into private? Are you all content? Yes, thank you.
, Finance Committee
Scrutiny of the Welsh Government Draft Budget 2023-24: Evidence session 1
Right, we will stop with the analogies. I started it, I know, but there we are. Thank you so much for your time this morning, and thanks to Andrew and Emma as well for coming.
, Finance Committee
Scrutiny of the Welsh Government Draft Budget 2023-24: Evidence session 1
Seeing as I am wearing a festive waistcoat, how do you describe this budget? Is this a Scrooge or a Santa?
, Finance Committee
Scrutiny of the Welsh Government Draft Budget 2023-24: Evidence session 1
And I've just got one tounge-in-cheek question, I suppose, for you.
, Finance Committee
Scrutiny of the Welsh Government Draft Budget 2023-24: Evidence session 1
Okay, thank you. We're coming up to time. As we look back through the transcript—and you'll have a copy to check for accuracy—there might be a couple of questions that we didn't quite cover, so are we okay to write to you with those questions, especially…
, Finance Committee
Scrutiny of the Welsh Government Draft Budget 2023-24: Evidence session 1
Okay. No problem. Joyce.
, Finance Committee
Scrutiny of the Welsh Government Draft Budget 2023-24: Evidence session 1
Because I'm just conscious of the time, that's all.
, Finance Committee
Scrutiny of the Welsh Government Draft Budget 2023-24: Evidence session 1
Thank you. Were you looking at me, Mike, or not?
, Finance Committee
Scrutiny of the Welsh Government Draft Budget 2023-24: Evidence session 1
Because the impact on local services is: if you don't provide it, then council tax has to go up to provide those local services. So, whichever way, the taxpayer has to pay it, the householder, and our communities. I represent some of the most impoverished…
, Finance Committee
Scrutiny of the Welsh Government Draft Budget 2023-24: Evidence session 1
Based on the settlements that are going out to local authorities today, and you say that they're not quite as bad as they thought they were going to be, what's your expectation around council tax? Are you in conversation with local authorities? Are you giving…
, Finance Committee
Scrutiny of the Welsh Government Draft Budget 2023-24: Evidence session 1
Thanks. Joyce.
, Finance Committee
Scrutiny of the Welsh Government Draft Budget 2023-24: Evidence session 1
But, in your opinion, is it something that would be a good thing?
, Finance Committee
Scrutiny of the Welsh Government Draft Budget 2023-24: Evidence session 1
Could I ask, just on that point, for your thoughts on the devolution of the administration of benefits, similar to what Scotland would have? Where's your mind on that? Would that be something that would help in some of the things that Joyce has been asking…
, Finance Committee
Scrutiny of the Welsh Government Draft Budget 2023-24: Evidence session 1
You're finished—you're fine. We'll go over to Joyce then. Thank you.
, Finance Committee
Scrutiny of the Welsh Government Draft Budget 2023-24: Evidence session 1
Peter, is that your—
, Finance Committee
Scrutiny of the Welsh Government Draft Budget 2023-24: Evidence session 1
Yes, okay. The delivery is done by nurses as well, so, by investing in nurses, you potentially are investing in that delivery anyway. But I'll move on to Peter.
, Finance Committee
Scrutiny of the Welsh Government Draft Budget 2023-24: Evidence session 1
So, is the Welsh Government pinning its hopes on the Westminster Government making a consequential to actually be able to do something about the dispute here in Wales?
, Finance Committee
Scrutiny of the Welsh Government Draft Budget 2023-24: Evidence session 1
Just following on from what Mike was saying, what discussions are you having with the health Minister? You'll see nurses going on strike tomorrow. There are pressures on primary, there are pressures on secondary, there are pressures everywhere, and it seems…
, Finance Committee
Scrutiny of the Welsh Government Draft Budget 2023-24: Evidence session 1
Exactly, yes.
, Finance Committee
Scrutiny of the Welsh Government Draft Budget 2023-24: Evidence session 1
I'm conscious this isn't the health committee, but it is a funding issue.
, Finance Committee
Scrutiny of the Welsh Government Draft Budget 2023-24: Evidence session 1
I think Mike has got a supplementary.
, Finance Committee
Scrutiny of the Welsh Government Draft Budget 2023-24: Evidence session 1
Okay. We'll move on to Peter.
, Finance Committee
Scrutiny of the Welsh Government Draft Budget 2023-24: Evidence session 1
Thank you. Mike.
, Finance Committee
Scrutiny of the Welsh Government Draft Budget 2023-24: Evidence session 1
Joyce.
, Finance Committee
Scrutiny of the Welsh Government Draft Budget 2023-24: Evidence session 1
Okay. Thank you. Mike, back to you.
