Mark Drakeford: Well, let me begin by agreeing, as Mike Hedges predicted I would, with a point he made at the outset: the problem with austerity is that it is self-defeating. It creates the problem it claims to address, and that's why we find ourselves in the position that we do. He's absolutely right to say, of course, not using PFI was a deliberate decision by Welsh Governments in the first decade of...
Mark Drakeford: Thank you, Dirprwy Lywydd. First of all, can I say to Jane Hutt that the Llantwit Major learning campus is an absolutely excellent example of what I said about how all our constituencies have flagship places that we can point to that are there because of the work that the WIIP set in motion? The Member made a very important point about the construction sector. I attended an event at Coleg y...
Mark Drakeford: Dirprwy Lywydd, thank you to Lee Waters for those points. I said, in my statement, that one of the key principles that links nearly all of the investments I've announced today is the contribution that I want to see them making to the efforts being made by Lesley Griffiths to reduce carbon emissions right across the Welsh Government. The money going to active travel will certainly help to do...
Mark Drakeford: It is the Welsh Government’s policy to reduce to the lowest possible level the effect of pesticide use on people, wildlife, plants and environment, while making sure that pests, diseases and weeds are effectively controlled.
Mark Drakeford: Our recently updated national transport finance plan identifies the extent of planned investment over forthcoming years across the whole of Wales, including the M4.
Mark Drakeford: Hywel Dda Local Health Board is currently consulting on proposals to transform community and hospital services in mid and west Wales. We support fully the need for this important consultation and have no preferred outcome and encourage the health board to ensure the public has every opportunity to participate in the process.
Mark Drakeford: We continue to invest in healthcare services in mid and west Wales, including £3 million recently for Withybush General Hospital and £25 million for Glangwili General Hospital. We are also investing £6.6 million in Llandrindod Wells County War Memorial Hospital. We will continue to work with health boards in the region to provide healthcare services that deliver the best possible outcomes...
Mark Drakeford: We will consult on a cross-Government obesity strategy later this year. There is already a range of positive action taking place across Wales, such as the Cabinet Secretary for Finance’s recent announcement of an additional £60 million funding over the next three years for active travel.
Mark Drakeford: The 'Prosperity for All' national strategy and economic action plan sets out the actions we are taking to improve economic development across Wales, including Aberavon.
Mark Drakeford: Formally.
Mark Drakeford: Diolch yn fawr, Dirprwy Lywydd. Last month was an important milestone in our devolution journey, with devolved taxes successfully going live on 1 April and now in operation fully for five weeks. The WRA have now received the first returns and have begun to collect important tax revenue, marking the culmination of work to bring about the devolution of these taxes. Dirprwy Lywydd, I listened...
Mark Drakeford: Had those been the points that the Member wished to concentrate on in this debate, he could have put them in the motion; he didn't. Instead, he put something else in on which he has been found out, and no amount of standing up here and spraying a set of other accusations around the room will detract from the point that his motion is defective; he knows it is, he's been found out in doing so....
Mark Drakeford: Well, you should read your own motion. You should read your own motion and you should be more careful next time you put it down so that you don't suggest things that, if they were true, would be very serious—but you now spend the whole of the debate trying to persuade us that that isn't what you meant in the first place. It clearly is; you've been found out and we will vote against the...
Mark Drakeford: Of course.
Mark Drakeford: Well, Dirprwy Lywydd, of course I have heard the representations made by some in the development sector. Both I and my officials separately have met with those who have concerns, and that engagement will continue. Andrew R.T. Davies, in his original contribution, set out their concerns very fairly and of course I will listen and continue to listen to them. No doubt the UK Government, his...
Mark Drakeford: Llywydd, the Government will oppose the Conservative motion today. We're pleased to support the Plaid Cymru amendments. We are already committed to keeping under review all of the taxes for which we have responsibility. We will seek to do that at the earliest practical opportunity and, most importantly of all, we will do it on the basis of the actual evidence, which only experience itself can...
Mark Drakeford: Any investigation into the exploitation of car wash services workers in Wales would be a matter for the UK Government.
Mark Drakeford: The second Severn bridge is a UK Government asset.
Mark Drakeford: We continue to have high level contact, clear expectations and work closely to provide the necessary support in respect of health boards in targeted intervention and special measures.
Mark Drakeford: Eating a healthy balanced diet accompanied by regular exercise is essential to maintaining physical and mental health and well-being. This can reduce the risk of major illnesses, such as heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and cancer.
