, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Constitution and Cabinet Office
One of the first steps taken by the Chancellor has been to request HM Treasury provides an assessment of the public finances before the UK parliamentary summer recess. She will also confirm her fiscal plans, including setting the date for the budget. This…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Constitution and Cabinet Office
I'm very grateful for the question. In terms of the additional rate relief that we're providing to retail, hospitality and leisure businesses, which is the particular relief that you referred to, it was never intended to be a permanent relief; it was…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Constitution and Cabinet Office
So, we have a really wide package of support for businesses. We're investing more than £0.33 billion this year in support for businesses in respect of their business rates. I will look at the guidance that we provide to local authorities in respect of…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Constitution and Cabinet Office
We are providing additional non-domestic rates support worth £134 million this year, on top of our permanent reliefs worth over £250 million. Ratepayers for almost half of properties, including thousands of small businesses, receive full relief. When partial…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Constitution and Cabinet Office
I am grateful for that question. I should have said in response to the previous question that I'd be more than happy to organise a technical briefing for all colleagues in relation to the HS2 figure in order to get under the bonnet, if you like, of some of…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Constitution and Cabinet Office
So, I probably wouldn't argue that the £700 million is owed to Wales; I'd use different language to that, in the sense that it is an impact of inflation and it's had the same impact across the border. So, in that sense, it's not as if UK Government has pulled…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Constitution and Cabinet Office
The first thing to say is that the figure of £350 million was forthcoming in the debates that we had. We had a specific debate, I think, in the Senedd in relation to HS2, and in that debate I explained the £350 million figure, but then, as the debate…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Constitution and Cabinet Office
Llywydd, there was no slight or offence intended in not engaging in those fuller discussions with the Conservative benches on the constitution issues. I will endeavour to put that right as soon as possible.
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Constitution and Cabinet Office
Well, two points of clarification. Those discussions were had with Plaid Cymru in relation to the budget discussions that we had in order to facilitate the passage of the Welsh Government’s budget for this financial year. I have spoken about the intention to…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Constitution and Cabinet Office
Yes, I'm very happy to do so. I have met with both of the chairs of the Independent Commission on the Constitutional Future of Wales and talked about the Welsh Government’s response, particularly to those recommendations that were aimed at the Welsh…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Constitution and Cabinet Office
Well, we very much recognise the pressures that there are in the rail sector here in Wales, and that’s one of the reasons, in the last financial year, that, responding to the impacts on inflation, we undertook that exercise across Government to reprioritise…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Constitution and Cabinet Office
I look forward to working in close partnership with the UK Government to deliver fairness in funding for public services across a range of areas. The appointment of Lord Hendy as rail Minister is a positive step, given his expert knowledge and his…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Constitution and Cabinet Office
There wouldn't be any discussions that I would be having with local authorities or stakeholders directly; those discussions would be led by the Minister, or the Cabinet Secretary now, for education. I've just given a brief update on where we are in relation…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Constitution and Cabinet Office
I'm really grateful for the question and I did have a very early discussion with the new Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Darren Jones. In those discussions, I highlighted public sector pay as being one of the most important and significant issues to us in…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Constitution and Cabinet Office
An engaged and motivated workforce is central to delivering effective public services. We are committed to paying fair settlements that reward workers but that are affordable within our budget.
, Plenary
Debate: Welsh Government Annual Report—Delivering the government’s priorities and legislative programme
Thank you, and I'm very grateful to colleagues for their contributions this afternoon, and very proud of the progress that we have made in delivering our programme for government and our legislative programme, despite the difficult financial circumstances…
, Plenary
Debate: Welsh Government Annual Report—Delivering the government’s priorities and legislative programme
We’ve all had to live with the chaos caused by the economic mistakes and the mismanagement of successive UK Tory Governments. This Government will always prioritise Welsh workers and businesses and work to support a stronger futureproofed Welsh economy to…
, Plenary
Debate: Welsh Government Annual Report—Delivering the government’s priorities and legislative programme
Last week, the third annual report of this Senedd term was published, setting out the progress that we continue to make towards the delivery of our programme for government. It has once again been a year full of challenges and difficult choices. We have…
, Plenary
Stage 4 of The Local Government Finance (Wales) Bill
Diolch. In closing, I'd like to thank Members and partners once again for their co-operation and input. This is the first local government finance Bill that we've had in Wales since devolution, and I know that many of us are very, very excited about that, and…
, Plenary
Stage 4 of The Local Government Finance (Wales) Bill
Diolch, Llywydd. I'd like to begin by putting on record my thanks to all of those who have played a part in the development and the passage of the Bill through the Senedd. The scrutiny process for the Bill has been rigorous and challenging, as of course it…
, Plenary
The Local Government Finance (Wales) Bill: Signification of His Majesty’s Consent
Diolch. I have it in command from His Majesty the King to acquaint the Senedd that His Majesty, having been informed of the purport of the Local Government Finance (Wales) Bill, has given his consent to this Bill.
, Plenary
Short Debate: The pawfect place to call home—Providing safe accommodation for pets in Wales
Thank you. And thank you very much to Carolyn Thomas for raising this issue, which is so close to so many people's hearts. I'm really glad to have the opportunity to respond on behalf of the Cabinet Secretary for Housing, Local Government and Planning to the…
, Plenary
Plaid Cymru Debate: Devolved powers and funding
We've been very clear—and I am going to come on to this—that devolution in these areas was always going to be a process, and we've set out the key top priority areas that we'll be looking at in the first instance. But I also want to be really clear with…
, Plenary
Plaid Cymru Debate: Devolved powers and funding
Of course.
, Plenary
Plaid Cymru Debate: Devolved powers and funding
Thank you. I'm delighted by the results of the general election and what it will mean for the people of Wales. After 14 long years of Conservative UK Government, which has acted as an aggressive competitor rather than being a constructive partner, we now have…
