Mark Drakeford: Thank you very much. I move that we approve the Non-Domestic Rating (Multiplier) (Wales) Order 2018. The Order sets the non-domestic rating multiplier for the purposes of 2018-19. I recognise that there has been limited time for Members to consider the Order. This was necessary because of the timing of the announcement of the Chancellor in the autumn budget to proceed with processes to...
Mark Drakeford: Llywydd, the UK Government had previously set out its intention to change the measure of inflation used to calculate the multiplier in England from RPI to CPI from 1 April 2020. These plans were brought forward to 1 April 2018 in the autumn budget. The Welsh Government was not informed of this change of plan ahead of the announcement, and we've had to consider fully the costs and implications...
Mark Drakeford: Presiding Officer, non-domestic rates have been devolved to a large extent. This brings responsibilities and opportunities. Otherwise, using the CPI rather than the RPI to calculate the multiplier would add to the bills that taxpayers would face. The change will give a boost to businesses and other taxpayers in Wales whilst maintaining a stable flow of tax revenue for local services. The...
Mark Drakeford: Diolch yn fawr, Llywydd. Can I repeat my thanks to the Constitutional and Legislative Affairs Committee for its work? We've accepted the merits points made in its report, and I'm grateful to the committee for recognising the time pressures, which are not of our own making and are a direct result of the awkwardness we discussed during the debate on the final budget of having a major UK...
Mark Drakeford: The Public Services Ombudsman (Wales) Bill is not a Welsh Government Bill, and, as a result, questions about it should be directed to the Finance Committee, which is sponsoring the Bill. The Bill is progressing through committee scrutiny and I look forward to considering the committee’s report.
Mark Drakeford: Thank you very much, Llywydd. Thank you for the opportunity to respond to the debate. I'd like to start by saying on a personal level, as Jane Hutt said, how pleasing it is to see Steffan Lewis once more leading a debate on Brexit here in the Assembly. Members of the Government will support the motion, which notes the position that has been reached at the moment on the continuity Bill.
Mark Drakeford: The First Minister set out yesterday our position on a continuity Bill. The UK Government's European Union (Withdrawal) Bill places constraints on the National Assembly's legislative competence, which, for the reasons just set out by Dai Lloyd, are wholly unacceptable. The Welsh Government will not be able to recommend consent to the EU withdrawal Bill as it currently stands. Not that this is...
Mark Drakeford: Well, some of what I have to say to you is that what would be lost would be the undertakings and the agreements that we have come to with the Scottish Government to work alongside them, to act in a way that is consistent with the way that they will act. Just as they have indicated that they will send their Bill to the Presiding Officer in the Scottish Parliament, yesterday the First Minister...
Mark Drakeford: Local authorities are responsible for the provision and monitoring of child-centred support for children with additional learning needs. The recently passed Additional Learning Needs and Education Tribunal (Wales) Bill places learners’ needs, views, wishes and feelings at the heart of the planning process.
Mark Drakeford: Addressing the causes and detrimental effects of loneliness and isolation are matters of national importance. I would like to thank the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee for its valuable inquiry report. I can confirm we are committed to bringing forward a cross-Government and national approach to tackle these issues.
Mark Drakeford: STEM skills are vital for our children’s future success. We have set out our approach to encourage engagement in STEM subjects in our STEM in education delivery plan. Actions include curriculum and qualifications reform, support for teaching professionals, and measures to enhance girls’ take up of STEM subjects.
Mark Drakeford: Stillbirth is a devastating event for any family. The causes of stillbirth are multi-faceted, some factors remain unknown. Stillbirth rates in Wales have remained fairly static in recent years; therefore a stillbirth sub group of the maternity network is leading a national multi-factored programme dedicated to reducing the incidence.
Mark Drakeford: Wales’s approach to high quality recycling means it is better placed than many other nations to deal with the consequences of China’s restrictions. We are working with local authorities and other partners to develop the circular economy, including the greater recycling of plastics in Wales.
Mark Drakeford: We will continue to work with Hywel Dda university health board to provide the people of Pembrokeshire with health services that deliver the best possible outcomes for patients. We will be guided by the best and most up to date clinical evidence and advice to deliver high quality care.
Mark Drakeford: We support continued participation in the single market after Brexit, which could be achieved either through participation in EFTA/EEA or through a ‘deep and special partnership’. This will likely require the UK Government to reconsider some of the ‘red lines’ set out in the Prime Minister’s Lancaster House speech.
Mark Drakeford: Thank you very much, Deputy Presiding Officer. I am pleased to put forward the Landfill Disposals Tax (Administration) Regulations 2018.
Mark Drakeford: Can I put on record my thanks to both the Finance Committee and the Constitutional and Legislative Affairs Committee for their work in considering these regulations? They are made under sections 17, 54 and 93 of the Landfill Disposals Tax (Wales) Act 2017, and both relate to the administration of that tax. The regulations cover two main areas. Part 2 sets out the requirements additional to...
Mark Drakeford: I ask Members to support these regulations this afternoon.
Mark Drakeford: Diolch, Llywydd. Can I say to Jane Hutt how much I agree with her on the very significant part that women Members of this Assembly have played throughout the development of these new responsibilities? She will be interested to know, because I was asked this question in front of the Finance Committee very recently, that, in the Welsh Revenue Authority, over half the appointments that have now...
Mark Drakeford: The funding arrangements for the Cardiff capital region city deal were finalised following the sign-off of the governance arrangements for the deal. The first instalment of £20 million funding has now been paid to the region.
