Mark Drakeford: I thank Joyce Watson for that question. In March this year, following extensive engagement with stakeholders, Welsh Government published its eight equality objectives for 2016 to 2020. These objectives focus on tackling the most entrenched inequalities in Wales and promoting cohesive communities.
Mark Drakeford: Let me associate myself very strongly with the last thing that the Member said. I think she is right—something happened during the course of the referendum campaign that has somehow legitimised, in the minds of some people, views that are abhorrent to, I’m sure, Members in this Chamber and have no part whatsoever to play in our community life. Even prior to that, there had been a 65 per...
Mark Drakeford: I thank the Member for her comments. Of course, it’s very important that we do more than simply speak here in the Chamber, so there are a number of things that I’m doing personally over the next week: I have a meeting with the WLGA on Friday—I will be speaking to them—and I have a meeting with the Muslim Council of Wales next week. It is important that we do come together in that way...
Mark Drakeford: Thank you very much, Eluned Morgan. Wales has enjoyed a positive relationship with the European Investment Bank throughout the devolution era, with nearly £2 billion invested in both public and private projects, including water, aviation, the motor industry and housing.
Mark Drakeford: Can I thank Eluned Morgan for a very important supplementary question there? She’s quite right that the European Investment Bank is wholly owned by its shareholders and all its shareholders are the 28 European Union member states. The United Kingdom has a 16 per cent shareholding in the EIB and is, therefore, one of the four main shareholders in the bank. And in leaving the European Union,...
Mark Drakeford: In answering Simon Thomas’s first supplementary question, I’ve not yet had direct discussions on the very important issue that he raises of Wales-based services that are already in a relationship with the EIB that will need to extend well beyond any exit from the European Union. Now, the EIB itself has said that it’s unable to provide any certainty on a whole range of issues in relation...
Mark Drakeford: Thanks to Suzy Davies for that question. Good local government plays a vitally important role in the lives of all citizens in Wales. Each and every one of us has a direct interest in shaping how public services are delivered.
Mark Drakeford: Well, I understand the point that the Member is making. In my discussions with trade unions earlier today, they emphasised their anxiety at the way in which, sometimes, alternative models can be seen as a first resort for the provision of public services. That’s not the position we take in Welsh Government. The action plan for alternative delivery models in public services makes it clear...
Mark Drakeford: I agree with the Member, undoubtedly, that public services should not be run for private profit. That is why, in this Government, we have always believed that public services should be publicly funded and publicly delivered. Now, in very tough times, I understand that those responsible for providing services sometimes have to look for other ways in which their services can be provided. Then,...
Mark Drakeford: The supplier qualification information database makes it easier for Welsh suppliers to compete for Welsh public sector business. It is a requirement of the Wales procurement policy statement to which all local authorities are signatories.
Mark Drakeford: I thank Mike Hedges for that and, of course, I welcome feedback from the Electrical Contractors’ Association and others who have an interest in procurement here in Wales. Mike Hedges is quite right that the evidence shows that SQuID has made a positive impact on the construction sector. Prior to its introduction around 30 per cent of all contracts in Wales were won by indigenous suppliers....
Mark Drakeford: Can I thank Janet Finch-Saunders for that question? I think it’s important to say that the Electrical Contractors’ Association’s own research said that only seven of 22 councils use the system in full—far more of them use it for parts of what they do. So, it’s a matter of building up from what they do already to use it in even greater dimensions of their work. I understand the point...
Mark Drakeford: The Welsh Government is working to support the farming industry in Montgomeryshire, as in all parts of Wales, to become more profitable, sustainable, resilient and professionally managed.
Mark Drakeford: Involving people and organisations in our decisions is central to how we work. Formal consultation is one way of doing that. We seek to improve continually the way that we do that.
Mark Drakeford: The business case for the investment in the specialist and critical care centre is progressing through the official Welsh Government scrutiny process.
Mark Drakeford: We are delivering a range of actions to support a stronger, fairer economy and help businesses to develop, grow and prosper. This includes business support, advice and investment in digital and transport infrastructure.
Mark Drakeford: A number of Acts passed in the fourth Assembly have already been fully implemented. For those Acts that have not yet been fully implemented, it is a matter for respective Cabinet Secretaries to consider the most appropriate way forward.
Mark Drakeford: We continue to tackle the underlying issues that create gender pay inequality, including through our public sector equality duty.
Mark Drakeford: It is now three years since the launch of ‘The Welsh Government Strategy for Tourism 2013-2020: Partnership for Growth’. This sets a target of 10 per cent growth in real terms in respect of overnight visitor expenditure in Wales by 2020. We are on track t
Mark Drakeford: Thank you, Llywydd. In 2018 the Welsh Government, at a national level, will raise its own money to spend on public services for the first time in almost 800 years. This will happen when stamp duty land tax and landfill tax are devolved. This marks an important step in our devolution journey and will be a significant change in the way in which public services are funded. My predecessor, Jane...
