Mark Drakeford: Thank you very much, Deputy Presiding Officer. I move the motion. The Government of Wales Act 1998 (Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales) (Amendment) Order 2016 amends paragraph 4 of Schedule 17 to the Government of Wales Act 1998 by altering the description of one of the bodies listed in that Schedule. Schedule 17 to the 1998 Act provides a list of public bodies in Wales that...
Mark Drakeford: Our programme for government makes clear our total commitment to support the armed forces and veteran community in Wales
Mark Drakeford: We are exploring a legislative solution to the issue of reclassification. Housing associations can be confident it will be resolved in a timely manner.
Mark Drakeford: We are continuing to analyse the economic and other impacts of various post-Brexit models drawing on both internal and external expertise.
Mark Drakeford: Since 2011, Nest has provided advice and support to over 85,000 households, with over 23,700 of these households receiving free home energy improvements. The Nest contract is due to end in August 2017 and we are currently consulting on the design of a new scheme to start in September 2017.
Mark Drakeford: Our regeneration investments continue to deliver important change to communities across Wales through the Vibrant and Viable Places programme. The recent establishment of the Valleys taskforce will build on this successful work by further addressing the needs and challenges of the region.
Mark Drakeford: Thank you very much, Deputy Presiding Officer, and thank you for this opportunity to provide Members with an update on the European structural fund programmes. The implications for Wales of leaving the European Union have been regularly rehearsed in this Chamber since 23 June. Today, I will focus instead on the progress made in deploying funds already secured, particularly in the 2014-2020...
Mark Drakeford: I thank the Member for those questions. It was never a claim that I made in my statement that European funds have been, to quote the Member, an unalloyed success. My case was that, in the difficult times that we have faced, European funding has been a fundamental element in bringing about some very significant improvements. If the Member thought that I was selective in my examples, then I’m...
Mark Drakeford: Thank you, Dirprwy Lywydd. I’ll move straight into the questions that the Member raised. Our plans for using the remaining European funds that we have at our disposal during the 2014-20 programme will be by delivering the programme that was agreed at a UK level with the European Union. It involved learning the lessons from the 2007-13 round. It involved making sure that we have a proper mix...
Mark Drakeford: I think I heard two questions in the middle of that, Dirprwy Lywydd. Let me confirm for the Member: he asked whether spending decisions that are made while we remain within the European Union are to be made in a way that is consistent with the legal obligations that membership provides; the answer to that is ‘yes’. He then asked whether future regional policy outside the European Union...
Mark Drakeford: Dirprwy Lywydd, can I say how much I agree with both points that the Member made? I emphasise in my statement the timescale for leaving and the importance of that in relation to the current round of structural funds, but the Member emphasises not simply the speed but the shape of that exit—the nature of it. And while we remain in close dialogue with the United Kingdom Government to make...
Mark Drakeford: Let me begin by disagreeing with Nathan Gill. When I pay my subscription to Glamorgan County Cricket Club every year, I don’t then go around saying every time I go there, ‘By the way, that’s my money, not yours.’ It becomes Glamorgan County Cricket Club’s money, which they use on my entertainment. [Interruption.] Or not, as the case may be. [Laughter.] As for his second point, as to...
Mark Drakeford: The energy performance of new homes in Wales was improved through the 2014 changes to building regulations. Further improvements will be looked at as part of meeting our emission reduction commitments under the Environment (Wales) Act 2016.
Mark Drakeford: I concur with the view set out in the carefully-argued and authoritative report of the Constitutional and Legislative Affairs Committee. The Bill contains some welcome elements but, without significant amendment, it will not deliver the lasting, durable settlement we had been hoping for.
Mark Drakeford: Education remains a central priority for this Government.
Mark Drakeford: The Welsh Government recognises the value of vocational qualifications and through the Learning and Skills (Wales) Measure 2009 ensures that all learners are offered at least three vocational qualifications at key stage 4 and at least five vocational courses at 16-18 in local curriculum offers.
Mark Drakeford: Trade unions are the voice of working people in Wales and a key partner of the Welsh Government in delivering our programme for government.
Mark Drakeford: Welsh Government continues to work with the Betsi Cadwaladr university health board and other partners to deliver high quality health services that provide the best possible outcomes for the people of Arfon and throughout north Wales.
Mark Drakeford: Thank you very much, Llywydd, for the opportunity to make a statement on the Welsh Government’s draft budget for 2017-18. I have laid the budget before the National Assembly this afternoon for consultation and scrutiny. We live in a most uncertain period. After very careful consideration over the summer, I have decided that, in advance of the fiscal resetting promised by the Chancellor in...
Mark Drakeford: Thank you to Paul Davies for his contribution. I take it for granted, really, that we share an ambition across the Assembly to make sure that the money we have available for public services is spent effectively, that it brings about real improvements in people’s lives and that we spend the money we have in the way that has the greatest impact. I look forward to the detailed scrutiny of the...
