Mark Drakeford: I thank Jane Dodds for that, and of course I agree with the basic proposition that she has set out that further investment across the United Kingdom in dental services would be very welcome. The Welsh Government did not set an affordability limit in our evidence to the pay review body, so the 3.5 per cent affordability level that she mentioned is advice provided by the UK Government for...
Mark Drakeford: Llywydd, implementation of the Burns commission proposals provides the most effective way of promoting sustainable travel. Publication this month of the Burns delivery unit annual report sets out the real progress already made, and future plans for walking, cycling and using public transport in south-east Wales.
Mark Drakeford: Llywydd, I think it's important just to set the record straight here: it was emergency funding, as the Member said. And emergency funding cannot be indefinitely extended beyond the point where the emergency led to the millions and millions of pounds that have been found by the Welsh taxpayer to support the bus industry while the emergency was in operation. Over £150 million, over and above...
Mark Drakeford: Llywydd, the Member's party went to the people of Wales in the last Senedd election promising the largest road-building programme ever in the history of Wales, and that proposition was roundly rejected by the people of Wales. Of course, the Member can continue to put in front of people the thing that people have rejected many times already. There is a fundamental difference of view between...
Mark Drakeford: The Minister for Health and Social Services has met board members to discuss these concerns and their impact on the day-to-day running of health services in north Wales. She will take whatever action is necessary to ensure services and patient safety are not compromised. A statement will take place later today.
Mark Drakeford: The Welsh Government supports such organisations both directly and indirectly. Direct funding is provided to some voluntary bodies to complement the work of emergency services. Indirect support includes help with training and access to the Wales-wide network of county voluntary councils.
Mark Drakeford: A series of national programmes assist the board in providing improved access to its services. These programmes provide the most up-to-date clinical advice and access to latest best practice, so that standards can be improved in all parts of Wales.
Mark Drakeford: I welcomed the recommendation from the Welsh Affairs Committee for a UK-Welsh Government inter-ministerial advisory board on social security. Sadly, that proposal was rejected by the UK Government. It would have provided a forum where services such as local housing allowances could have been discussed.
Mark Drakeford: The review has begun with an evidence-gathering and mapping exercise. This will inform the development of sustainable and affordable policy options to support safe, equitable, affordable and accessible transport for our learners in Wales.
Mark Drakeford: The Welsh Government has provided almost £1.5 million in grant funding this financial year to support the delivery of STEM initiatives with a strong focus on encouraging girls to consider careers in STEM.
Mark Drakeford: Llywydd, I thank the Member for that question. A series of national programmes assist the health board in providing improved access to its services. These programmes offer the most up-to-date clinical advice and access to latest best practice so that standards can be improved in all parts of Wales, including the Cynon valley.
Mark Drakeford: Well, Llywydd, I thank Vikki Howells for that question, and for drawing attention to that very important development in the RCT area. And, Llywydd, it's a genuine example, I think, of the social partnership approach in Wales in action. The three buildings that are to be used were first identified by the local authority. They drew them to the attention of the health board. The health board had...
Mark Drakeford: Well, it's being so cheerful that keeps him going, Llywydd—it's certainly not the accuracy of his grasp of the facts. In some ways, the Member managed to answer his own question, eventually, by pointing to the fact that the reason why there are percentages of that sort waiting in Cwm Taf is because of the nature of the population it serves. It's not a postcode lottery at all; it's as the...
Mark Drakeford: I thank Jenny Rathbone for that question. Llywydd, value-based healthcare continues to take forward the prudent healthcare principles of ill-health prevention, joint partnership with patients on the journey to improvement, and diversification of the workforce so that every practitioner operates at the top of their clinical licence.
Mark Drakeford: Llywydd, I thank Jenny Rathbone for that. I certainly share her enthusiasm for the work of Cardiff and Vale health board, at their Llandough site, in using the ground that they have available there for well-being initiatives. The fruit that is being grown in part of the western edge of that site offers patients as well as people who work for the health board an opportunity to be outside, in...
Mark Drakeford: Well, Llywydd, first of all, I join with the leader of the opposition in congratulating those people who continue to campaign on this issue to make sure that the Welsh Government is always aware of developments that they are in touch with and that their views are conveyed to us. And I know that last week's meeting was an opportunity for that to happen, and the Minister will be following that...
Mark Drakeford: I can certainly tell the Member that 11 developers have signed up to the compact. We continue to work with the sector to put the force of law beneath the compact as well. I don't have in front of me the answer to the number of developers who have taken the next step to which the Member referred, but I'm very happy to write to him and make sure that he has that information.
Mark Drakeford: I fully agree. It's been the position of the Welsh Government throughout that those who are responsible for the faults in the construction of those buildings should take responsibility for remediation. I want to try and be as fair as I can to that sector by saying that the considerable bulk of developers who are responsible in Wales have come forward and given that commitment, and therefore...
Mark Drakeford: The normal practice, as the Member will know, will be for rail fares to be increased in line with inflation; that would have meant a 12.3 per cent increase in rail fares here in Wales. With a great deal of discussion and action by the Minister, working alongside Transport for Wales, we have been able to cap that increase at less than half of inflation. I wish we didn't have to increase rail...
Mark Drakeford: Were there to be any money in the spring statement, at the very top of this Government's list will be pay demands in the public services and to make sure that we can do the very best for those people who work within them. But public transport is a very important priority for this Government, and we completely understand the importance of bus services in all parts of Wales. I was able to meet...
