Mark Drakeford: We recently published a report by the Building Research Establishment, which provides updated modelled figures on levels of fuel poverty in Wales since 2012. The report indicates a reduction in fuel poverty levels in all households in Wales from an estimated 29 per cent in 2012 to 23 per cent in 2016.
Mark Drakeford: Supporting a strong economy, closing the education attainment gap and improving skill levels are our key priorities and represent the most effective levers at our disposal to improve living standards in Wales.
Mark Drakeford: We are currently refreshing our carers strategy to reflect the enhancements to carers’ rights under the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014. This will be completed in March 2017 and will set out key priority areas and actions to support carers, including exploring the provision of young carer ID cards.
Mark Drakeford: It is important that nurse education continues to develop to ensure the training provided to individuals equips them with the skills, knowledge and experience to deal with the challenges we face in Wales. We continue to work with key stakeholders to ensure appropriate development.
Mark Drakeford: Thank you very much, Llywydd. The Welsh Government’s draft budget was laid before the Assembly in October and had to be developed in very challenging circumstances. The UK Government’s autumn statement, which promised to reset fiscal policies, was published a few weeks after the draft budget was tabled. In the final budget, which was published on 20 December, we had to consider the...
Mark Drakeford: Thank you, Llywydd. A gaf i ddiolch i’r holl Aelodau hynny sydd wedi cymryd rhan yn y drafodaeth? Mae llawer o Aelodau wedi cyfeirio at y pethau hynny yr ydym wedi gallu eu cyflawni yn y gyllideb, yn y buddsoddiadau newydd yr ydym wedi gallu eu gwneud rhwng y drafft a'r gyllideb derfynol. Roeddwn i’n credu y byddwn yn y fan yma yn ailadrodd y llwybr gwneud penderfyniadau a nodais...
Mark Drakeford: Llywydd, thank you for calling me to open this debate on the general principles of the Land Transaction Tax and Anti-avoidance of Devolved Taxes (Wales) Bill. I am grateful to the Chair and members of the Finance Committee and the Constitutional and Legislative Affairs Committee for their thorough scrutiny of the Bill. I welcome the Finance Committee’s recommendation that the National...
Mark Drakeford: Rwy'n ddiolchgar i'r ddau bwyllgor hynny am eu hadroddiadau pwysig ar ddiwedd ystyriaeth Cyfnod 1 y Bil hwn. Yn amlwg, mae pwyntiau manwl yn adroddiadau’r ddau bwyllgor y bydd angen eu hystyried yn ofalus. Mae llawer o'r hyn y byddaf yn ei ddweud y prynhawn yma, Ddirprwy Lywydd, yn canolbwyntio ar y materion hynny a amlygwyd yn ystod y broses graffu Cyfnod 1 hwnnw. Rwyf wedi ysgrifennu at...
Mark Drakeford: Diolch yn fawr, Ddirprwy Lywydd. Can I thank all Members who have taken part in what has been I think a very constructive and interesting debate? My starting point is the one that Nick Ramsay set out. Whether you regard tax devolution as a matter of high excitement or deep trepidation, it’s going to happen and our job is to prepare for it and to do that in a way that is as careful and as...
Mark Drakeford: Of course, yes.
Mark Drakeford: I completely agree. We don’t want to go about the business in a way that leads to unnecessary complexity. We deal with anti-avoidance, I think, in a careful and proportionate way. Our first recourse will be to the specific targeted anti-avoidance rules that deal with abuses that we know have been there in the past. If that doesn’t capture matters, we have a general targeted anti-avoidance...
Mark Drakeford: Formally, Chair.
Mark Drakeford: Our priorities for improving health services are to continue to protect investment in the health service and deliver the range of commitments set out in ‘Taking Wales Forward’.
Mark Drakeford: Our refreshed package of support demonstrates Welsh Government’s continuing commitment to provide support for veterans and their families in 2017.
Mark Drakeford: There is no formal agreement, but we have received assurances from the UK Government that they will respect the devolution settlement and work closely with the devolved administrations. This will be key in ensuring that effective arrangements are put in place within the UK in preparation for the EU exit.
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: NSA Afan is subject to an ongoing Welsh Government investigation into allegations of possible misuse of public funds. We are working with relevant authorities, including the police, and, at this time, it would be inappropriate for me to comment further.
Mark Drakeford: We have raised our priorities for immigration policy with the UK Government in meetings of the Joint Ministerial Committee and bilaterally. Workers from other countries make a vital and valued contribution to our economy and our public services, and this needs to be reflected in future migration policies and controls.
Mark Drakeford: The national transport finance plan sets out the measures we are taking to ensure that south-west Wales is connected via a reliable, modern and integrated transport network.
Mark Drakeford: The national transport finance plan, published in July 2015, sets out investment for transport and infrastructure and services for 2015-20 across all parts of Wales.
