Mark Drakeford: Welsh Government has made sepsis one of its top patient safety priorities. We are leading the way with a whole country approach in our collective efforts to tackle the condition. It is important we keep learning and improving while also improving the support for individuals who have survived sepsis.
Mark Drakeford: We are committed to people having a stronger voice in the planning and provision of health and care services. Our White Paper currently out to consultation contains proposals aimed at strengthening the voice of citizens in these services.
Mark Drakeford: Llywydd, the Joint Ministerial Committee on European Negotiations has been established as the forum where devolved Governments can seek to influence UK-EU Brexit negotiations. I represent the Welsh Government on that JMC. Events in Catalonia, to which this question refers, have not been discussed at a meeting of the committee.
Mark Drakeford: Llywydd, the Member very passionately puts his view of the situation, as he’s absolutely entitled to do, and has drawn our attention to the concerning reports of the developing situation in Catalunya. The Welsh Government is absolutely clear: we believe in democratic principles and think that they should be respected. Democratic politics is the basis for resolving constitutional issues....
Mark Drakeford: The Member helpfully draws attention to the statements that exist within the European Union and elsewhere, and that is reflected entirely in what I said that, as a Welsh Government, we believe in the respect of democratic principles and democratic politics as the way to resolve constitutional and other disputes. But the Member is also right to say that these are responsibilities of the UK...
Mark Drakeford: I entirely agree with the Member about the long history of close relationships between Wales and Catalunya and between organisations that operate here in Wales and operate in Catalunya. The First Minister himself met representatives from Catalunya within the last couple of years. Nothing that I’ve said this afternoon should be read as detracting from our concern at the reports that are...
Mark Drakeford: Transport for Wales can help us deliver a safe, efficient, cost-effective and sustainable transport system. We are already moving forward to reshape public transport infrastructure and services across Wales through the next Wales and borders franchise, south-east metro, the A470 corridor study, and the Valleys delivery plan.
Mark Drakeford: Between 2011 and 2017, the employment rate in Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney increased by 6 per cent, above both the Wales and UK increases of 5 per cent and 4 per cent respectively.
Mark Drakeford: Our prosperity for all strategy sets out actions we will take to improve our wealth and well-being, spread opportunity and tackle inequality. Later this autumn, the Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Infrastructure will publish an economic action plan setting out further detail on how we’ll implement and deliver those commitments.
Mark Drakeford: We are making a significant investment in all housing tenures in all areas of Wales, including the north. This provides continued support for small local developers, social housing and Help to Buy—Wales, as well as through new schemes aiming to make home ownership more accessible and support innovation.
Mark Drakeford: Potentially a big one. Modular homes offer speed of construction, often in factories. They can be very affordable when produced at scale, offer excellent energy efficiency and flexibility of design. Jobs and training opportunities could be significant too. Our innovative housing programme will test different models to assess what works best.
Mark Drakeford: The Welsh Government ensures transparency through the Freedom of Information Act 2000 by complying with its provisions and only withholding information where it is legitimate to do so.
Mark Drakeford: The Welsh Government has long recognised the significant economic benefits and opportunities for Wales with the removal of the tolls. We have continuously lobbied the UK Government to abolish them and are pleased they have finally listened.
Mark Drakeford: Flying Start is central to the Welsh Government’s approach to the early years. Early years is one of the cross-cutting priorities set out in ‘Prosperity for All: The National Strategy’. We have made a clear commitment to the continuation of the Flying Start programme for this Assembly term.
Mark Drakeford: We have undertaken comprehensive research to assess the impact of the UK Government’s welfare reforms in Wales. This includes analysis at a local authority-area level, and shows Torfaen is amongst the areas hardest hit by the reforms already implemented. This is also the case for the ongoing reforms.
Mark Drakeford: Well, Dirprwy Lywydd, implementation of the code will be monitored through annual reporting by public bodies. I also expect those reports to be considered by our social partners at the workforce partnership council.
Mark Drakeford: Well, can I thank the Member for that? I absolutely agree with him that the code is an example of how we have been able to use the powers available to us to break new ground, in ensuring that, in the supply chains that are there in the Welsh public sector, ethical employment is at the heart of the way in which goods and services are procured. Now, the code was only signed off at the workforce...
Mark Drakeford: Well, it is very important—I agree with Suzy Davies—that we are alert to those instances where employers try to subvert the minimum wage. We know that there are instances, sadly, in Wales where, through tied accommodation, or tied transport, for example, in effect, people are paid below the statutory minimum. Now, we rely on our trade union colleagues very heavily to be part of that...
Mark Drakeford: I thank Russell George for that question. The possibility of a growth deal for mid Wales has been discussed in a number of meetings that I have attended with the leaders of Ceredigion and Powys county councils, both before and after this year’s local authority elections. Informal, official-level discussions have also taken place. Local bodies continue to take the lead in developing any...
Mark Drakeford: To date, Chair, the funding that has been needed to develop the idea has been contributed by those who have been members of the partnership that has been set up: members drawn from the private sector, from manufacturing, agriculture and tourism, together with higher and further education, the voluntary sector and local government. Where the Welsh Government and, indeed, the UK Government will...
