Mark Drakeford: Thank you very much for the question. A range of schemes exist to help small businesses with their non-domestic rates. More than £210 million of relief is being provided in 2017-18. These schemes are open to all eligible businesses that meet the criteria, including community energy projects.
Mark Drakeford: Well, thank you very much for that supplementary question, and of course, I am aware of the things that people in the sector are saying. My colleague Lesley Griffiths has met with the task and finish group on hydro energy to discuss the report on measures to support the hydro energy industry in Wales, and I know that she will be holding a further meeting with that group. In the interim, both...
Mark Drakeford: Formally.
Mark Drakeford: Diolch yn fawr, Llywydd. Thank you for the chance to take part in a well-timed debate, as others have said, with people across Wales going to the polls tomorrow. This has been a very proper opportunity for parties here to put forward policies on which electorates will make their decisions. Maybe I’ll begin by agreeing with the last speaker in the debate, Dawn Bowden, as I agreed with Simon...
Mark Drakeford: The Welsh Government is, itself, accredited as a living wage employer. The Welsh NHS has paid the living wage since January 2015. ‘Taking Wales Forward’, our programme for government, contains a commitment to take further action on the living wage during this Assembly term.
Mark Drakeford: The Welsh Government continues to encourage local government to conduct its business in an open and transparent manner. The current White Paper on reforming local government proposes a range of ways further to increase transparency.
Mark Drakeford: The consultation on the White Paper, ‘Reforming Local Government: Resilient and Renewed’, issued on 31 January and ended on 11 April. I am considering all responses and will make a statement once that consideration is completed.
Mark Drakeford: The White Paper on reforming local government proposes a range of electoral and other reforms to encourage greater democratic participation in Wales. These include changes to the voting age, requiring local authorities to encourage and enable participation as well as making the broadcasting of council meetings a statutory requirement.
Mark Drakeford: The most recent assessment by the Wales Audit Office identified improvements in Cardiff council’s performance, financial planning, HR management and accountability. Estyn concluded in October that significant improvements had been made in education services. The Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales found in 2016 that children’s services had a clear sense of direction and high...
Mark Drakeford: I have regular discussions with the Chief Secretary to the Treasury about fiscal matters, including the implementation of the new fiscal framework.
Mark Drakeford: Diolch yn fawr, Dirprwy Lywydd. Hoffwn i ddechrau drwy ddiolch i Gadeiryddion y Pwyllgor Cymunedau, Cydraddoldeb a Llywodraeth Leol a’r Pwyllgor Materion Cyfansoddiadol a Deddfwriaethol am eu gwaith wrth iddyn nhw graffu’n fanwl ar y Bil drwy gydol Cyfnod 1. Hoffwn ddiolch hefyd i Gadeirydd ac aelodau’r Pwyllgor Cyllid. Hoffwn i hefyd ddiolch i’r rhanddeiliaid a’r partneriaid...
Mark Drakeford: Thank you, Dirprwy Lywydd. As you’ve heard, there is strong support for the Bill in the Assembly this afternoon. I thank John Griffiths for what I thought was a succinct summary of the evidence that his committee took. In each aspect of the Bill, there was overwhelming support, as he said, from stakeholders for a simple and effective Bill. Members have heard from Gareth Bennett, who sat...
Mark Drakeford: Formally, Chair.
Mark Drakeford: We undertake a range of activities to support the use of alternative fuels in line with our commitment to reduce energy generated from fossil fuels. This includes support to companies producing hydrogen fuelled cars and our extensive work and funding for the SPECIFIC innovation and knowledge centre in Baglan.
Mark Drakeford: We continue to provide a wide range of support to small businesses in Wales through the Business Wales service. We also provide infrastructure investment and actions which improve business conditions.
Mark Drakeford: Our focus on homelessness prevention is having a positive impact but I will not be happy while any individual or family faces homelessness. We continue to work with authorities and their partners to strengthen support for those who are homeless, sleeping rough and at risk of homelessness.
Mark Drakeford: The Welsh Government recognises the significant economic and cultural contribution our iconic landscapes make to Wales. Action is taken to core fund our three national park authorities. Our natural resource management policies ensure that the unique landscapes within national parks and areas of outstanding natural beauty are managed and protected.
Mark Drakeford: Betsi Cadwaladr university health board remains in special measures. Progress is being made in key areas and we expect to see further improvements during the current phase of work.
Mark Drakeford: We have already reviewed the speed limits on our trunk road network. The results were made available in 2015 and we will be carrying out an update of the review this summer.
Mark Drakeford: The recent White Paper on reforming local government proposes reforms to elections, including the extension of the voting franchise to 16 and 17-year-olds. This, along with other reforms to improve electoral registration and voting processes, will be designed to encourage young people to participate in elections and democracy more widely.
