Mark Drakeford: I thank Joyce Watson for that question. In March this year, following extensive engagement with stakeholders, Welsh Government published its eight equality objectives for 2016 to 2020. These objectives focus on tackling the most entrenched inequalities in Wales and promoting cohesive communities.
Mark Drakeford: Let me associate myself very strongly with the last thing that the Member said. I think she is right—something happened during the course of the referendum campaign that has somehow legitimised, in the minds of some people, views that are abhorrent to, I’m sure, Members in this Chamber and have no part whatsoever to play in our community life. Even prior to that, there had been a 65 per...
Mark Drakeford: I thank the Member for her comments. Of course, it’s very important that we do more than simply speak here in the Chamber, so there are a number of things that I’m doing personally over the next week: I have a meeting with the WLGA on Friday—I will be speaking to them—and I have a meeting with the Muslim Council of Wales next week. It is important that we do come together in that way...
Mark Drakeford: Thank you very much, Eluned Morgan. Wales has enjoyed a positive relationship with the European Investment Bank throughout the devolution era, with nearly £2 billion invested in both public and private projects, including water, aviation, the motor industry and housing.
Mark Drakeford: Can I thank Eluned Morgan for a very important supplementary question there? She’s quite right that the European Investment Bank is wholly owned by its shareholders and all its shareholders are the 28 European Union member states. The United Kingdom has a 16 per cent shareholding in the EIB and is, therefore, one of the four main shareholders in the bank. And in leaving the European Union,...
Mark Drakeford: In answering Simon Thomas’s first supplementary question, I’ve not yet had direct discussions on the very important issue that he raises of Wales-based services that are already in a relationship with the EIB that will need to extend well beyond any exit from the European Union. Now, the EIB itself has said that it’s unable to provide any certainty on a whole range of issues in relation...
Mark Drakeford: Thanks to Suzy Davies for that question. Good local government plays a vitally important role in the lives of all citizens in Wales. Each and every one of us has a direct interest in shaping how public services are delivered.
Mark Drakeford: Well, I understand the point that the Member is making. In my discussions with trade unions earlier today, they emphasised their anxiety at the way in which, sometimes, alternative models can be seen as a first resort for the provision of public services. That’s not the position we take in Welsh Government. The action plan for alternative delivery models in public services makes it clear...
Mark Drakeford: I agree with the Member, undoubtedly, that public services should not be run for private profit. That is why, in this Government, we have always believed that public services should be publicly funded and publicly delivered. Now, in very tough times, I understand that those responsible for providing services sometimes have to look for other ways in which their services can be provided. Then,...
Mark Drakeford: The supplier qualification information database makes it easier for Welsh suppliers to compete for Welsh public sector business. It is a requirement of the Wales procurement policy statement to which all local authorities are signatories.
Mark Drakeford: I thank Mike Hedges for that and, of course, I welcome feedback from the Electrical Contractors’ Association and others who have an interest in procurement here in Wales. Mike Hedges is quite right that the evidence shows that SQuID has made a positive impact on the construction sector. Prior to its introduction around 30 per cent of all contracts in Wales were won by indigenous suppliers....
Mark Drakeford: Can I thank Janet Finch-Saunders for that question? I think it’s important to say that the Electrical Contractors’ Association’s own research said that only seven of 22 councils use the system in full—far more of them use it for parts of what they do. So, it’s a matter of building up from what they do already to use it in even greater dimensions of their work. I understand the point...
Mark Drakeford: Thank you, Llywydd. In 2018 the Welsh Government, at a national level, will raise its own money to spend on public services for the first time in almost 800 years. This will happen when stamp duty land tax and landfill tax are devolved. This marks an important step in our devolution journey and will be a significant change in the way in which public services are funded. My predecessor, Jane...
Mark Drakeford: I thank the Member for those comments, and I thank him for informing me that some things are very difficult to do here, but not quite like doing it in a state of war. Cyfres o gwestiynau pwysig iawn gan Adam Price, a’n man cychwyn ni yw'r un lle y dechreuodd yntau hefyd—sef bod atebolrwydd democrataidd yn ymwneud yn gryf â bod sefydliadau sy'n gwario arian yn gyfrifol am godi arian yn...
Mark Drakeford: I thank Nick Ramsay for those important questions. My starting point is the same as his. We want the system to be as understandable and simple as possible, albeit that some of these matters are inherently complex and are the province of people who are experts in the field. I believe that the journey that we are on should begin with as little difference as necessary between the system we have...
Mark Drakeford: I thank Mark Reckless for those questions. My message today about no change for change’s sake is based on the very clear message that came from stakeholders during our consultation on the land transfer tax. They were very strongly of the view that we needed a smooth transition from the existing law to the new law and that changes—and there will be changes that we will introduce—would be...
Mark Drakeford: Controversial—yes, indeed. Mike Hedges is right, of course, that the purpose of raising taxes is to pay for public services. We also try our best to align taxation in a way that promotes objectives of public policy, and that’s why we have a landfill disposals tax. There is some inherent volatility in these taxes. The best estimates prior to 23 June were that they would raise around £300...
Mark Drakeford: Thank you, Jenny Rathbone, for those questions. She’s right to begin by warning us of perversities and unintended consequences that can flow from even the best motivated policies. But I do continue to believe that the basic principle that any tier of government that expends public money should also be responsible for raising part of that money is the right one. And then we have to work hard...
Mark Drakeford: Thank you very much to Jenny Miles. Just to say, I was eager to appear before the Assembly before the summer with a statement, just to have an opportunity to discuss things together and provide an update to Assembly Members. On the experience in Scotland, it’s on the agenda for the meeting I have next week with the Minister from Scotland to press ahead with those discussions that we’ve...
Mark Drakeford: The Welsh Government is working to support the farming industry in Montgomeryshire, as in all parts of Wales, to become more profitable, sustainable, resilient and professionally managed.
