, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning
The Welsh Government is aligned with key partners in Wrexham to deliver this exciting project along Mold Road. Our shared ambitions of delivering an integrated public transport and active travel system and facilitating competitive international football in…
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Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning
I'm really grateful for that question, and, as Russell George says, it is a good problem to have, but definitely one that we need to be working to resolve. So, the property that we are able to provide and identify does form part of our Wales economic offer…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning
I'm very grateful to Joyce Watson for raising this important issue this afternoon. As she rightly recognises, it's not a devolved issue, but that doesn't mean it's not an issue that the Welsh Government isn't concerned about. And, indeed, we recently made our…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning
Our plan for supporting the economy across Wales is set out in our economic mission, namely ensuring a just transition to a green and productive economy, a platform for young people, fair work, skills and success, stronger partnerships for stronger regions…
, Plenary
Nomination of the First Minister under Standing Order 8
Eluned Morgan.
, Plenary
Short Debate: Confronting the crisis: Tackling youth homelessness in Wales
Our ending homelessness action plan, which includes youth-focused housing and support actions, sets out our vision for a Wales where everybody has a safe home that meets their needs and supports a healthy, successful and prosperous life. We're committed to…
, Plenary
Short Debate: Confronting the crisis: Tackling youth homelessness in Wales
Diolch. I'd like to thank Luke Fletcher for raising this very important matter this afternoon, but also all colleagues who have contributed to the debate. I want to reassure colleagues that preventing youth homelessness remains a priority for this Government…
, Plenary
Finance Committee Debate: Welsh Government's spending priorities for the 2025-26 budget
That's very kind; thank you. I do want to say 'thank you' to colleagues who have engaged with the questions around savings and the effectiveness of spend and also using other tools such as planning. I think that those are all really important interventions as…
, Plenary
Finance Committee Debate: Welsh Government's spending priorities for the 2025-26 budget
There are, of course, tools that the UK Government has available to it—for example, the announcements in respect of people with non-dom status, in respect of VAT for private schools. Those are a couple of areas where it has said that it will take action, and…
, Plenary
Finance Committee Debate: Welsh Government's spending priorities for the 2025-26 budget
Thank you. I welcome the opportunity to respond to the debate today, and very much want to thank the Chair of the Finance Committee and all of the Members who have contributed this afternoon, and of course everyone who took part in the committee's engagement…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Constitution and Cabinet Office
Of course, most of the funding that we provide for housing is capital, and in that sense it takes up a much greater share of the capital budget. And in fact, our commitment to social housing is clearly underpinned by our funding of over £1.4 billion in this…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Constitution and Cabinet Office
I will continue to have discussions with the Cabinet Secretary for Housing, Local Government and Planning as part of our annual budget process, and there is also regular monitoring that goes on with that portfolio. While I recognise the challenges for the…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Constitution and Cabinet Office
Any choices in that space would need to be taken within the particular MEG, but I can say that Welsh Government officials have met with the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama to discuss its proposals, with my colleague Lynne Neagle, the Cabinet Secretary…
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Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Constitution and Cabinet Office
I have recently agreed to allocate an additional £5 million revenue funding to the culture and social justice main expenditure group for this financial year.
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Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Constitution and Cabinet Office
So, I do know that community interest companies and other businesses can be commissioned within primary care clusters to deliver local services to the community, and increasingly we do want local health boards and well-being services to collaborate in the…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Constitution and Cabinet Office
I have regular discussions with the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care as part of our annual budget process and regular monitoring. These include discussions on preparations for the 2025-26 draft budget, recognising that public finances continue to…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Constitution and Cabinet Office
I think an important point to make is that, even though the previous UK Government referred to funding for the electrification of the north Wales main line, no actual funding was ever identified for that, so I just think that's important to get on record. In…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Constitution and Cabinet Office
Well, we are hoping to have the first meeting of the Finance: Interministerial Standing Committee before the end of this month. It will be hosted in Belfast this time, because one of the strengths, I think, of the inter-governmental machinery around finance…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Constitution and Cabinet Office
I had a constructive call with the Chief Secretary to the Treasury last Wednesday, during which we touched on several topics, including fair funding for Wales. There will be the opportunity for a more substantive discussion with the Chief Secretary in the…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Constitution and Cabinet Office
Well, if I could just correct James Evans, I don't think I've ever used the phrase 'turning on the taps' in relation to a new UK Government when it arrived, in terms of what that might mean for us, and I would never have used that phrase, because we know…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Constitution and Cabinet Office
The Welsh Government currently has no budgetary settlement beyond the current financial year. The Chancellor of the Exchequer has said that she will set out details on the timing of the UK budget before the summer recess. We will know more about the outlook…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Constitution and Cabinet Office
I think the point here is that we are talking about businesses located here in Wales and people living here in Wales, and, in Wales, the tax base is very different. So, we do differ significantly from England in terms of our non-domestic rates. We've got a…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Constitution and Cabinet Office
I'm very grateful for the question, and just want to recognise as well Vikki Howells’s constant support for a vacant land tax, recognising the importance that it can make to rejuvenating communities. I like the reference to 'grot spots'—I think that that is…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Constitution and Cabinet Office
One of our key tax principles is to raise revenue to fund public services as fairly as possible. Devolved and local taxes raise vital revenues that support and benefit communities across Wales. In 2023-24 these taxes raised over £6 billion to invest in public…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Constitution and Cabinet Office
I’m very grateful for that question. I too was really interested in the contents of the King’s Speech today. One of the things that really caught my eye, which is something that I’ve been calling for, is the budget responsibility Bill. That will require the…
