Mark Drakeford: Job creation, closing the education attainment gap and improving skill levels are our key priorities and represent the most effective levers at our disposal to tackle poverty in Wales.
Mark Drakeford: Our constitution must give the Assembly and the Welsh Government the powers we need to deliver for the people that elected us. Where matters are reserved, robust inter-governmental arrangements are essential to underpin a strong United Kingdom that works for all its constituent parts.
Mark Drakeford: In 2011 the people of Wales voted conclusively in favour of full legislative powers for the National Assembly. The restrictions in the draft Wales Bill were not consistent with that decision. It remains to be seen whether the final Bill will change that assessment.
Mark Drakeford: As an arm’s-length subsidiary of the Welsh Government, individual investment decisions are a matter for Finance Wales. However, since its inception in 2001 to the end of 2015-16, Finance Wales has invested £383 million in Welsh businesses, leveraged in an additional £585 million from the private sector, and supported 41,500 jobs.
Mark Drakeford: The Welsh Government has made a commitment to deliver a minimum of 100,000 high quality, all age apprenticeships.
Mark Drakeford: As we approach the end of the first year of the scheme, nearly 50,000 private landlords have registered. Another 11,000 or so have already started the registration process. The first year has been light touch, focusing on awareness raising. From next week, the focus will be on compliance.
Mark Drakeford: This year has been an outstanding one for Welsh sport. The Welsh Government remains committed to building on successes achieved in community and elite sport. Our investment in sport, via Sport Wales, aims at making Wales prominent on the world stage, helping inspire people to become more active and achieve excellence.
Mark Drakeford: The current curriculum requires financial education for all learners. Estyn is reviewing provision in schools and will publish recommendations in the spring on how financial education can improve. In Financial Capability Week, I should highlight our partnership with the Money Advice Service, which supports money management teaching in schools.
Mark Drakeford: Our economic priorities for Pembrokeshire include creating the right support environment and infrastructure for businesses to flourish, including improvements in the transport network, particularly along the A40.
Mark Drakeford: We have a consultation on local air quality and noise management currently running that asks what more should be done to improve air quality in Wales. It closes on 6 December. Our response to the High Court ruling will be informed by the evidence gathered through that consultation exercise.
Mark Drakeford: Rail infrastructure is non-devolved. Despite this, we have invested significantly in rail in Wales, including over £180 million a year for the franchise and additional rail services and £200 million in rail infrastructure over the past five years.
Mark Drakeford: Our economic priorities for west Wales include: creating the right support environment and infrastructure for businesses to flourish, including improvements in the transport network, particularly along the A40; working closely with Swansea bay city region to support the delivery of their internet coast bid and supporting businesses through business finance schemes.
Mark Drakeford: Our key programme for tackling fuel poverty is the Welsh Government Warm Homes programme, which includes the Nest and Arbed schemes. Since 2011, we have invested over £217 million to improve the energy efficiency of over 39,000 homes of households on low incomes or living in deprived areas of Wales.
Mark Drakeford: This Government is committed to making a difference for everyone. Three of my Ministers represent constituencies in north Wales, and we continue to invest in regional projects including £163 million at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd, over £200 million in north Wales road improvements, and £22 million for education facilities in Connah’s Quay and Holywell.
Mark Drakeford: The Cardiff capital deal demonstrates the benefits that can come from collaborative working across 10 local authorities. Progress remains in line with the timescales experienced by other, similar, large-scale city regions across the United Kingdom. Ratification of necessary governance and assurance arrangements is expected by February 2017.
Mark Drakeford: I thank the Member for that question. She’s absolutely right, of course, that the south-east Wales metro is a key feature of the city deal, and at its heart, it has the aim of creating a first-class public transport system across the whole region, to keep moving us forward for generations to come. Procurement of the operator and development partner for the next Wales and borders franchise...
Mark Drakeford: I recognise the points that the leader of the Conservative Party is making. The Chancellor was still on his feet when I came down to answer questions this afternoon, so I will wait to see the final details of the autumn statement before committing to any particular spending plans. But the point that he makes about investment in order to carry forward our economy is one that, quite certainly,...
Mark Drakeford: Well, Dirprwy Lywydd, the Member’s contribution is the usual mixture of malevolence and fantasy. He’s had his answer to this question many times and I have nothing to add to what he already knows.
Mark Drakeford: I meet regularly with a range of stakeholders and colleagues to discuss financial issues, including priorities and allocations within the health, well-being and sport portfolio.
Mark Drakeford: Well, Dirprwy Lywydd, I’ll draw the Member’s specific question to the attention of my colleague the Cabinet member for health, of course. I do know that at the very end of the last Assembly term additional funding specifically for perinatal mental health was made available, and I am confident that the extra services that will be provided as a result of that investment will be making a...
