Rebecca Evans: Thank you, and I completely agree with every word that you say, and I would be horrified if they were not working through every possibility in terms of the measures that the UK Government could take in terms of supporting the economy in the event of a disastrous 'no deal' Brexit. We've been clear, time and time again—and I'm grateful for the support of the Finance Committee, and for...
Rebecca Evans: With respect, I think our duty as a Welsh Government is to ensure the best possible future for the people of Wales. A 'no deal' Brexit certainly isn't that. Welsh Government, alongside Plaid Cymru, worked very quickly following the referendum to set out what a best possible Brexit would look like for the people of Wales in 'Securing Wales' Future'. The UK Government has only managed to...
Rebecca Evans: The funding of social care is a key focus of the inter-ministerial group on paying for social care, of which the Minister and Deputy Minister for Health and Social Services and I are members, alongside the Minister for Housing and Local Government. It last met on 7 February, and will convene again next week.
Rebecca Evans: Thank you very much for raising that. The main focus of the inter-ministerial group is very much on the challenge of paying for care, and that would be looking at how care is paid for in the future, very much in the context of the Holtham report on paying for care and the Finance Committee's report on the cost of caring for an ageing population. That said, however, there are a few streams of...
Rebecca Evans: Our 2019-20 budget included an additional allocation of £192 million to implement 'A Healthier Wales', our long-term plan for health and social care in Wales. Decisions on the allocation of funding to deliver policies are a matter for the Minister for Health and Social Services.
Rebecca Evans: Thank you for raising the consultation. As you say, it hasn't yet closed, but I know that your views will be very keenly received by that consultation. There have been some immediate measures that have been agreed by Cabinet, because, like you, we recognise that this is one of the issues that can't wait. So, proposed initial actions that we would take would be, for example, to increase daily...
Rebecca Evans: It is always our ambition to provide long-term clarity over budgets whenever possible. However, this must be balanced with realistic and sensible planning assumptions. The UK Government's austerity agenda, coupled with the uncertainty regarding Brexit, constrains our ability to do this.
Rebecca Evans: Thank you very much for raising that. I'll explore the specific question you raised with my colleague the education Minister. I would say we are very sympathetic to the calls from the public sector for budgeting over a longer period whenever possible in order to have more straightforward financial planning. However, the continuing uncertainty that we are experiencing at the moment is causing...
Rebecca Evans: The Deputy Minister and Chief Whip has written to all Ministers and Deputy Ministers in relation to using the Act to innovate, driving better, long-term decisions. Last month, I met the Future Generations Commissioner for Wales to discuss what further steps we can take in relation to the budget process.
Rebecca Evans: Three projects from round 1 of the scheme have now reached the implementation phase. The second round of innovate-to-save is also progressing well, with seven projects now going through to the second research and development phase of the scheme.
Rebecca Evans: Welsh Government issues consistent procurement guidance across the public sector and will be providing additional support in key sectors such as social care and construction to drive up consistency and capability in these important areas.
Rebecca Evans: Diolch. There are some changes to this week's business. The statement on tourism strategy has been withdrawn, and the statement on 'Apprenticeships: Investing in Skills for the Future', will be delivered by the Deputy Minister for Economy and Transport. Finally, as the last item of business today, the Business Committee has scheduled a motion to agree the reallocation of the Chair of the...
Rebecca Evans: Thank you very much for raising this issue and also for recognising the work that your colleague Angela Burns has been doing on the issue of sepsis for some time now, because clearly we're all concerned about sepsis. The international community, however, has recognised the considerable efforts being made in Wales to improve prevention, diagnosis and early treatment. I know that there's lots...
Rebecca Evans: Certainly I have huge sympathy for his view that he is absolutely fed up with the way that Brexit has been handled. I think that a large proportion of us in the Chamber would certainly share that concern, and the Prime Minister's recent announcement, in terms of the discussions that she's been having with our European neighbours recently, do nothing to move us forward. Absolutely nothing has...
Rebecca Evans: Thank you very much for raising those issues. Certainly, with regard to the long-term plan to ensure that the ship in Port Talbot docks issue is appropriately dealt with, I'll ask the economy Minister to provide you with an update on that. On Banksy, of course the Minister with responsibility for arts has heard what you've had to say, particularly with regard to the potential contemporary art...
Rebecca Evans: Thank you very much for raising that issue. And I completely understand and sympathise with the frustrations of the mountain bikers, as you've described. We're currently contributing to the Tree Council's ash dieback action plan, which outlines four key ways for local authorities to help manage that particular disease. And that plan is due to be launched in Wales on 28 March, at the National...
Rebecca Evans: Thank you very much for raising both of those issues. And, of course, I hope that you will take the opportunity at the rally on Saturday to confirm that there are no plans to run down and close down Maerdy surgery, because I do think that linking an infestation and staffing shortages is a bit of a stretch, to say the very least. I will have a discussion with the relevant Minister regarding...
Rebecca Evans: Thank you very much for raising this issue. We certainly recognise the current pressures facing music services and the need to take action, and positive action, as soon as possible. This is one of the reasons why an additional £3 million of funding has been provided over 2018-19 and 2019-20 for music provision across Wales. Since the Minister for Education's response to 'Hitting the Right...
Rebecca Evans: Thank you very much for raising that, and I think that the First Minister was more than clear during First Minister's question time that that tweet in no way represented Welsh Government's approach to trade because, obviously, we are a Government that supports business, we're welcoming of business, Wales is a fantastic place to do business. We work very closely with academia to ensure that...
Rebecca Evans: Thank you for raising that, and we share completely your concerns about the way in which asylum seekers and refugees are treated when they do come to the UK seeking asylum. For our part, we've tried to open up the discretionary assistance fund, for example, to ensure that asylum seekers and refugees who are facing real destitution are able to access support through that. However, we have deep...
